The 2012 Multicultural Festival, organised by students Musaddiq Moghal & Bhavneet Singh, held at the end of March, was the first of its kind. Stimulating exhibitions, innovative workshops and stunning performances from around the globe rounded off a week celebrating multicultural diversity in Swansea!

Throughout the week, the University hosted a wide range of societies- including the Nigerian, Welsh and Japanese to name a few. Each day ran with a different culture with Friday bringing everyone together in ‘United As One’!

Exhibitions were held in a marquee next to Fulton House on campus, and volunteers encouraged  students to get involved each day. The week kicked off with traditional African drumming and heavy beats around the University which helped to promote the festival. Inside, students representing their African heritage spoke about their country’s history, providing both an educational and interesting experience.

Tuesday featured Far Eastern culture with a Chinese and Japanese mix creating an Oriental vibrancy. With a combination of colourful stalls, beautiful traditional clothing for people to try on,  volunteers artistically writing student’s names for them in Chinese, traditional Chinese bamboo flute music and Jujitsu workshops outside the marquee!

Wednesday focused on a European-North Atlantic themed day with Welsh, Spanish and German societies all taking part giving people insights into the world of Europe including Welsh cakes all accompanied by blasts of Shakira, German pop music and even authentic Welsh harmonies.

The workshop of the day was the ‘Sexy Salsa’- with the Swansea University Dance Society attempting to teach students some of the basics!

On Thursday the marquee was transformed into a (very noisy) Middle Eastern- Asian market place with over 900 people visiting it. Visitors came to get a traditional Henna tattoo or just to soak in the atmosphere. With the Indian, Pakistani and Qatar societies (among many others) taking part, the tent was buzzing with people of different ethnic backgrounds. Pakistanis and Indians were dancing around the campus with the Dhol (the Punjabi drum) getting every ones attention. Arabian rugs lined the floors and the Pakistani coffee was a definite highlight! There was traditional dancing and Charolette Britton the Welfare Officer of the Swansea Students' Union did a surprise bollywood performance which attracted a lot of people.

One of the Pro-Vice Chancellors also visited the marquee.  

Friday, the last day of exhibitions, drew in different aspects of each day and was aptly named ‘United As One’.  Representatives from Algeria, China, the Caribbean gave visitors  insights into many cultures from around the globe!

The last event of the 2012 Festival  culminated in the one and only ‘Night of Culture’ (held in the Taliesin Arts Centre on campus) and it did not disappoint! With Ali and the bubbly Dolkar presenting the show, the audience was kept enchanted. The audience was dazzled by performances of Welsh folk dancing, hip hop, Spanish Salsa, not to mention some stunning Bollywood dancing from the Indian society! There was even some thought-provoking African poetry, a Jujitsu performance, and a vibrant piece of Caribbean drumming. The show was a success and everyone, from the performers to the audience, enjoyed it immensely!

The whole week of celebrations was a huge success.