Published on 03 May 2018
Dancing up a storm, it was a night to remember as the University of Sunderland hosted an international spectacular.
Students from countries across the world gathered together to celebrate everything which makes us different at CitySpace on Wedenesday night.
The University’s Afro-Caribbean Society organised the event, dubbed “Battle of Tribes”, and the red-carpet evening proved a huge hit as different cultures came together under one roof.
African, Caribbean, Greek, Kuwati, Italian and many more nationalities were represented during an evening of dance and culture.
The event has been organised by Francis Ezenagu, a Nigerian student currently studying Nursing at the University.
He was inspired to bring cultures together and celebrate diversity after realising that some of the prejudice he had faced in his life was down to a lack of education.
University of Sunderland Vice Chancellor Shirley Atkinson, who also attended the event, said: “Each year we welcome new students from over 100 countries. These students become a vital part of day-to-day life in our city. Outside of their studies, lifelong friendships are created and memories made.
“Coming together to create a mass message of unity has never been more important, and we are proud that our students are at the forefront of creating a better tomorrow, today.”
Also attending Wednesday’s event was Mayor of Sunderland Councillor Doris MacKnight.
Organiser Francis Ezenagu, who is studying Nursing at the University, said: “The reason why I was keen to organise this event was to elevate cultural awareness and bring people from different nationalities together in a common goal.
“It’s normal in life for an individual to dislike what he/she doesn’t know, hence it’s our duty to enlighten the public on our traditions and cultures and also eradicate misconceptions.
“It has been amazing learning from different cultures and I hope everyone tries to understand that, although we might have different skin colour, language or religion, we are still all the same.”