cultural festival report
DESCRIPTION
For a number of years, EUSA, the International Office, and other University departments have organised Global Horizons, an annual cultural festival which celebrates our diverse university community. Recently, we have tried a few new things (incorporating with the Student Festival, changing time of year from first semester to second, introducing new events and partnerships) and have learned a lot. However, we feel that there is more we can do to showcase the vibrant culture on campus and possibly tie it into the festival-scene throughout the city. A new name? A new flavour? New collaborations? More social events, more academic? More activities at other campuses? The possibilities are endless. To inform a festival manifesto, we ran a workshop to capture the knowledge and experience of participants from across the University. Ideas were big and small, wild and crazy, and quick and practical. You can read our workshop report here – we are excited to take these ideas forward!TRANSCRIPT
Cultural Festival Workshop
Reporting Back
Friday, 2 AugustEUSA Global & International Office
It should feel….
• Fun• Energetic• Branded with a common ethos• Well coordinated• Connected online• Safe to go to events alone or in a
group• Different feel for each event• Events for all kind of ages• Academic• Social• Numerous places to gain knowledge• Smooth operations – ticket
reminders, connected to social media, etc
• Informal• Buzz
• Atmosphere• Inclusive• Accessible• Celebratory – big and small• Element of surprise• Spontaneous• Educational/learning• Integrated with city• Unignorable• Pride in culture• Down town• A range of activity available • Transforming familiar place
Events could include…
• Green theme, recycling goal for festival• Exhibition on home – where our
students come from• Weddings from different
cultures/traditions• Unusual timings to inject a variety of
experiences• Singing to bring different communities
together• Dawn/welcome walk up Arthurs Seat• UN Day – selling different foods• Silent disco with music from different
countries• Cocktail tasting event• Food tasting event• Smells, sights and sounds from
different countries• Poetry• Festival podcast
• Language Picnic (tandem!)• Acts of random kindness• Storytelling series around a certain
theme – culture shock, etc• Book crossing activity –
www.bookcrossing.com• Culture HUB• Skills festival, skill development• Ask folks to make a contribution• Different locations – KB, little france• FEEDBACK! M & E plan• Bouncy castles• Do it yourself dentistry – from around
the world• Hot air balloon• Fireworks• Games• International sport
• Fun games from different countries – childhood memories
• Dance event showing off new cultural moves!
• Refresh zones (from festival fatigue) with cultural smells
• Group hug• Burn a Viking long ship in George
Square• Discussion around culture and
independence• Society events!• Residence Life take students away on
field trip• Famous comedian (Carlos Mencia?)• Community impact of students giving
back• Cultural market• Showcase Scottish culture!
• Sponsor visitors (such as Soweto Choir)• Session to learn about your own
cultural heritage• Cookery competition• Something to do with plants• Why not have a statue? Remember the
painted cow.• Guerilla gardening• Link to world events, anniversaries• Quiet tent/chill out space• Merchandise• Parade!• Film events• Networking opportunities• Mystery guests• New local discoveries• Debate series on controversial global
issues
The good, the bad…
Community building in university & city, not just about students
Engage staff and student families
Showcase vibrant culture at Uni
Showcase student skills
Gives us a cultural identity
Positive, fun, energy
Promotes cultural empathy!
Collaboration across University
Opportunity to bring in visitors
Chance to celebrate culture, including Scottish!
Meet people from around the world
Expand people’s knowledge
Opportunity to make it green!
Read out across campuses
Lack of leadership and quality coordination
Fear of trying new things
Patronising or offensive to cultures
Lack of time, energy, funding
Lack of staff/academic engagement
Lack of clear vision or unifying theme
Bad timing
Lack of enthusiasm and input from students
Not ANOTHER festival!
Too rigid versus too flexible
Bunch of events doesn’t equal a festival
Lack of space
Weather
‘It’s not in my job description’
Prejudices, assumptions, stereotypes, over/under representation
Avoiding narrow definition of culture
Healthy & Safety regarding food
Some groups feeling left out
Stakeholders
1
Students (international, home, PG, UGAcademic staffSocietiesFamilies of students, staffODL studentsSchools E&D coordinatorsStudents on global-oriented programmesSport teamsVolunteer groupsLGBT community
PrincipalVPs
CollegesSchools
Edinburgh India InstituteConfucius Institute
CAMResidence Life
ChaplaincyEUSA
International OfficeOffice of Sustainability/Social
ResponsibilitySpace
IT/AV resourcesSports UnionAll campuses
2
Residents of EdinburghMinority ethnic community in the cityOther universities nearbyAlumniLocal community groupsConsulates embassiesLocal festivalsLocal schoolsWidening participation partnersUnions
Local mosquePotential sponsors
Royal Botanic GardenScottish Government
Edinburgh City of LearningCouncil
BBC Alba
3International partnershipsInternational networksProspective students
United Nations, UN Day, etcUniversitas 21
What we learned
• People are clearly excited by a cultural festival and agree it needs to be revamped.• There is a lot happening already through student and society activity, School events, and
already established programming.• A feedback system must be mapped out.• Smooth coordination is essential – the steering group will be a lively committee from
across the University.• Social media and real time updates will be just an important as actual events.• Brand needs to reflect the ethos of the event, not be patronising or alienating to
particular groups, and embrace the diversity of the festival.• We have a real opportunity to build a community which appeals not just to students and
staff, but also their families.
Next steps
• Establish where we stand. Done (thanks to you!).• Identify and coordinate Steering Group members.• Develop Festival manifesto with input from this document and Steering Group. Email
[email protected] with your interest.• Design the plan – deadlines, budget, good people, etc.• Develop brand with input from this document.• Establish partnerships with University partners, sponsors, and other interested parties.• Design the programme.• Reflect throughout the process.