Third annual Holi Festival brightens up campus March 23

March 17, 2017

Next week, students, faculty, staff and children alike will come together under a blanket of color outside of the Dining Commons on Georgia Avenue to welcome in the spring season for the third annual Holi Festival on Thursday, March 23 from 6-7:30 p.m.

Holi, translated as “Festival of Colors,” is a traditional holiday celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs. The event has an ancient origin and celebrates the triumph of good over bad.

The Multicultural Student Center (MSC) and the Center for International Studies began this celebration on campus with the goal of raising multicultural awareness of the holiday and creating a lasting tradition that celebrates diversity.

“Additionally, Holi is a festival that happens worldwide; as such, our students have the chance to celebrate with a myriad of people worldwide to celebrate the welcoming of spring,” said Takeshia Brown, director of the MSC. “Ultimately, any opportunity we have to immerse ourselves in other cultures helps us to understand each other better and build community.”  

Participants are encouraged to wear a white t-shirt as colored powder will be thrown in the air and will cover everything. The powders will wash away later and are nontoxic; however, participants should avoid getting colors in the eyes, ears, nose and mouth if possible.

In addition to the color celebration, there will be an introduction explaining the purpose and tradition of Holi as well as a cultural dance performance from students in the Southeast Asian Student Organization (SASO).

To learn more about Holi Festival, click here. For more information on the MSC, visit http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/multicultural/.  

Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125 degree programs serving 20,673 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.