On 14th December 2023, students, colleagues and friends joined together for the World in Westminster Café: Christmas Celebrations. The gathering brought people together to share mince pies, listen to carols and generate a strong sense of belonging.
Christmas is celebrated around the world, especially by Christians of various denominations, to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. During the event there were renditions of traditional and pop songs from an array of talented student musical performers, including Joseph Barnett, Rotem Aberbach, Damian Liew and Joel Marquis-Kumba. Also joining in with the musical festivities was Westminster’s own Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Professor Andrew Linn, who delighted the audience with an organ performance.
Guests also got the chance to listen to both biblical and secular readings from Reverend Matthew Linfoot, Westminster alumna Dr Victoria Harmer, and Professor Dibyesh Anand, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Employability and Global Engagement.
The event embraced everyone, regardless of their faith or background, fostering an atmosphere of peace, unity and understanding. More than 70 people joined the festivities and were welcomed by Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Peter Bonfield. Professor Anand, Co-Chair of the University’s EDI Committee, closed the event and reminded everyone of diverse ways in which Christmas is celebrated across the world and reiterated the University’s commitment to inclusion, fostering a sense of belong for all.
In a rare cross-cultural moment of sharing, guests were invited to join in the foyer of Regent building for the lighting of the last candle on menorah for the eighth and final night of Hanukkah. All guests joined and listened to prayer sung by a few Jewish colleagues.
Find out more about upcoming EDI events that will celebrate and advance the values of diversity and inclusion at University of Westminster.
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