University of Westminster celebrates traditional Mexican holiday Day of the Dead

To start the evening Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Bonfield and Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employability Professor Dibyesh Anand offered welcoming remarks, setting a reflective tone for the celebration. This was followed by a series of traditional Mexican activities, including face painting, Mariachi music and a folklore dance performance, and everyone was invited to dance and celebrate together.

An ofrenda, which is an altar to commemorate deceased loved ones and translates to offering in English, was later introduced by the event’s lead organiser and Westminster International Student Champion Melissa Ramos Peimbert, who shared its symbolism with the attendees. Guests were then invited to create tokens to be placed on the altar as a tribute to loved ones.

Melissa said: "Being able to share Día de Muertos with the University was incredibly meaningful. It's a celebration that reminds us of the importance of honouring those who came before us, and it was wonderful to see so many people come together to experience that. I hope this event helped everyone feel a part of this tradition, whether they were reconnecting with their roots or learning about it for the first time."

Celebrating Día de Muertos at Westminster highlights the University's commitment to inclusivity and belonging as part of its strategic priorities set out in the Being Westminster 2022-2029 strategy. Led by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Team in collaboration with International Student Champions, this celebration joins the list of culturally enriching events held within the World in Westminster series, bringing holidays such as Diwali, Chanukah and Yalda Night to life for the University community. These events celebrate the power of cultural diversity, community and learning, showing how Westminster stands as an inclusive global institution.

Sharing his thoughts on the event Professor Anand said: “While for some, joy came from the celebration of their culture and beliefs—possibly for the first time at our University on this scale—for many others, excitement came from learning about a festival they were unfamiliar with. This is how we, as a global university, function: we want everyone to feel they belong and to reach out and be inspired by others. The colour, the songs, the dances all reminded us of the value of diversity."

Kira Sarria Burgess, President of the University of Westminster Latino Society, also reflected on the experience: "The University of Westminster Latino Society had the honour of participating in Westminster's inaugural Día de Muertos celebration. As one of the newer societies on campus, we are proud to witness the Latino community at Westminster grow and come together more each year. Events like this create an indescribable atmosphere, as many of us are living far from home. When I moved to London, I never expected to find so many others with Latin roots committed to preserving our culture. Events like these not only strengthen our community ties but also allow us to honour our traditions in a meaningful way."

The World in Westminster series contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4: Quality Education and 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.

Find more Equality, Diversity and Inclusion events at the University of Westminster.