In a colourful event organised as part of their cultural day by Stenden University’s Student Representative Council (SRC), the students showcased their respective countries’ culture, music, dance and food. The countries represented were Qatar, Netherlands, Egypt, Lebanon, India, Pakistan, Syria, Palestine, Jordan, Iraq, Germany South Africa and Costa Rica. Each country’s stall competed for prizes for best decoration, best hospitality and best food, and was backed by performers who gave their best in a talent show.
The talent show opened with Farhan Al Suwaidi, who gave a beautiful guitar rendition. The Indian community at Stenden started with a fashion show displaying the traditional outfits of each region of the country and later demonstrated the true Bollywood spirit with a colourful dance performance.
The Middle East nations were represented by Mohammad Daibes and his friend Suapi, who rapped in honour of Lebanon. Lebanese singer Jamal Mansour gave a special tribute himself while the students danced the Dabkeh to powerful melodies. Hailing from Syria, Ahmad Abaisad showcased his beat-boxing skills.
Qatari graduating senior student Abdullah Al Ghanim left the audience laughing and asking for more with a satirical one-man-show highlighting differences between men and women. Abdul Rauf gave a performance with his guitar honouring the Costa Rican love of music.
Finally, the MCs of the evening, Lynn and Mohamad, announced the last performance, Pakistani band ‘Raakh’ (Ashes of Life). Their heart-warming performance made all students, regardless of their nationality, stand up and join them in singing and dancing. The evening ended with the winners of the talent show receiving their prizes and the students filming a ‘Harlem Shake’ video.The Peninsula
