Students celebrate culture, spring and community by joyfully tossing colored powder and water at one another during Ferris’ vibrant return of the Festival of Colors.
Also known as Holi, this major Hindu tradition is celebrated as the festival of colors, love and spring. The spirit of the festival is extended to people of various religions and backgrounds, marking the triumph of good over evil.
Hosted by the Office of International Education and the Office of Multicultural Student Services, about 53 students participated in the festival by throwing colored powder in bags and shooting water guns at one another. The festival was held on Friday, April 25, outside Robinson Quad.
Immigration and Student Service Coordinator Yue Moua wanted to bring the festival to the university so that students could interact and have fun with each other in an engaging way.
“May is the Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and we wanted to celebrate and put on something for it. The celebration is because of the triumph of good over evil and the transition from winter to spring,” Moua said. “It’s a very fun and engaging event. Literally everyone who attends can throw colors at each other, even at random people and also shoot water guns at random people.”
Moua also said that this was the first time in years that the Festival of Colors was hosted at the university, as the last time the festival occurred was prior to COVID-19.
Biotechnology junior and International Office Committee Chair Prasanna Maharjan enjoyed being a part of the festival so that he could introduce his culture to other people. At the same, they introduced him to their own culture. Maharjan is a native of Nepal, so being a part of the festival meant a lot to him personally and from a cultural standpoint.
“It feels really nice for me to see other people representing my culture,” Maharjan said. “And these people did not need to know the history or anything about my culture, but just being there to celebrate with them is a huge thing. Learning about new cultures from different people almost feels refreshing.”
The university recognizes and supports a lot of different cultures and has organizations for the many students on campus. Diversity and ethical community are core values at the university, and the festival is another way for everyone to represent their cultures in an environment without judgment.
“I’m from Nepal,” Maharjan said. “For my country, this is a big festival back at home and doing it here with the whole community coming together and having fun was just great. It was a place for everyone to represent their cultures.”
With events like the Festival of Colors, students from all backgrounds can come together, feel seen and celebrate the vibrant diversity that defines the Ferris community.
Criminal justice freshman Haley Miller finds it important for the Ferris community to be a part of a festival like the Festival of Colors because of the various backgrounds at the university. Being friends with an exchange student made Miller realize the importance of people’s cultures getting representation.
“There are so many different students with different backgrounds,” Miller said. “Everybody has a different culture here. To do this and include people, especially exchange students who have done this before, feel welcome. This festival makes them feel appreciated.”
The festival allowed students to get involved with the community, take in the spring weather and experience Holi traditions.
The Office of International Education hopes to continue hosting the Festival of Colors next year.