Diwali, the Festival of Lights

This year’s Diwali event marked yet another successful celebration, building and carried from the past three years by Cardiff Met Students’ Union, and now was organized by the newly formed Cardiff Met Asian Society with enthusiastic support from the Students’ Union and various university departments.

The event saw an incredible turnout, with over 220 attendees, including freshers, seniors, alumni, and external guests. The energy in the room was amazing, Notably, Cardiff Met’s cricket team joined the celebration, made the night even more memorable.

A highlight of the evening was the traditional pooja ceremony, where students came together to honour Diwali’s spiritual significance. The celebration also featured a fashion show with 14 student participants showcasing traditional attire, along with a talent show that highlighted 13 students. These performances added excitement to the event, allowing participants to proudly share their talent with their friends and faculty.

The event was graced by several distinguished guests, including Hughes Kelvin, Dean of Cardiff School of Management; Iva Gray, Board of Governors Member and judging panelists; Stella Diamantidi, Associate Dean for Student Engagement, Cardiff School of Management; Cecilia Hannigan-Davies, Deputy Dean of Education and Social Policy; Naeem Amir, Careers Consultant (International) with Student Services; and Sharon Zaaruka, SU Student Advice Coordinator.

Beyond the efforts of the Asian Society and Students’ Union team, the event was made possible by Cardiff Met’s Chaplaincy, and the Equality & Diversity Officer, for their contributions with budgeting.

Additionally, a special thanks to the external contributors, including Temptasians DJ, who provided lively music, and Wolf Get Media, who captured memorable moments throughout the night (View the photos & to download) , Eastern Cuisine for authentic South Asian food.

For many international students, the evening served as a “home away from home,” Our aim was to make sure a sense of belonging and comfort while showcasing the diversity and inclusivity that Cardiff Met values.

Here is some feedback shared by our attendees:

“So fun! I added so many songs to my playlists and the food was exquisite! I am not from India, and I was a bit intimidated to go at first, but I’m so glad I decided to go. Indian culture is incredibly rich, and I feel incredibly honoured to have been involved in Diwali somehow!”

“This Diwali occasion was particularly memorable for me because it was my first Diwali away from home in Cardiff. I'm so glad I was able to participate in this event since I met so many wonderful people who made the entire experience both comforting and enjoyable. I also invited two of my overseas friends, and it was wonderful to share my culture with them; they had a great time. Kudos to the asoc team and our very own SU VP for organising this event. Keep up the good work.”

“Being an Alumni, it was a very good event, everything was well organised and perfect arrangements. Food and dj was best, altogether a perfect evening for Diwali”

“I loved the event. Despite not being Hindu, I felt very welcome there, and I learned a lot. The talent show was very impressive, and I really enjoyed the dancing. Because of it I'll be looking forward to any future events by the Asian Society.”

“I had such a great time at this Diwali event, it was so well organized and a lovely showcase of culture and tradition through song and dance”

“The Diwali day was wonderful and felt relieved off homesick. Thanks to you and team for arranging such an event.”

“Being part of the Talent Fest and the Fashion Show was an equally amazing experience. The chance to showcase talents, support fellow participants, and bring out creativity in such a positive environment was really inspiring. The event was organized so well, and every detail added to the joy and excitement of the day.”

“I was both an attendee and a part of the talent show. I was happy to be able to display my dance and witness other's talents as well. I think it was a great idea. Fashion show was great to see as well. I and the people around me loved the food. So much so that some of my friends started taking a few boxes when leaving. The best part was the DJ dancing. It was a whole vibe and it's safe to say that everyone enjoyed it”

“As an international student, the Diwali event made me feel like I was part of a supportive community here at the university. Being able to celebrate such an amazing tradition with friends and classmates from all over the world brought a sense of belonging and reminded me of home. It was amazing to see the university embracing our culture and fostering this environment for us.”

“Being away from home, on an auspicious day like Diwali was certainly difficult for me, but this event certainly changed everything, i honestly had the best time  and would like to thank ASOC and Cardiff Met SU for hosting such an amazing event, with the best food, the people, the talent show, and the fashion show, this event is going to be one of the core memories for me.”

“It helped me connect with many others who share similar traditions, as well as with students from different backgrounds who wanted to join in and learn more about our culture.”

“Events like these build a true sense of community within the university, making it feel more like I’m at home even when I’m far away from my family.”

“More than the event, I was happy in volunteering and making it happen by being a part of it. Event was fun, engaging and glad to know a lot of people. I would like to suggest, since there were a lot of them danced and showcased their talents and let’s not stop within the event, it will be best to open Asian dance society.”