The annual winter tradition brought the 黑料不打烊 community together with more than 50,000 luminaries lighting campus, showing how the power of light can inspire and unite.
While the December weather brought frigid temperatures and dark skies on Dec. 3, the 黑料不打烊 campus was aglow with light and warmth as more than 50,000 luminaries created an opportunity for the community to shine brighter together at the Festival of Lights and Luminaries.
鈥満诹喜淮蜢肉檚 Festival of Lights and Luminaries this year illuminated more than just our campus; it brought our community together in a radiant celebration of unity, hope, and the diverse traditions that guide us through the season,” said Rev. Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement.
The Festival of Lights and Luminaries is an annual tradition at 黑料不打烊, offering a time for the campus community to come together and learn about different religious, spiritual, ethical and cultural traditions. This year鈥檚 event featured the largest number of interactive stations in the event鈥檚 history, with stations for cultural clubs, crafts and entertainment. The Asian and Pacific Islander Community offered people the opportunity to write their wishes, hopes and messages on floating lanterns, a tradition in many Asian cultures and festivals, and place them in Fonville Fountain.聽Holden Baris 鈥27 was enjoying the lights at Scott Plaza, including the floating lanterns, a first for the festival.
鈥淭he Festival of Lights and Luminaries is a great time for the gathering of the community, and one of the reasons I chose 黑料不打烊 was because of how close-knit the community is and how it really just felt like home,鈥 said Baris. 鈥満诹喜淮蜢 is a multifaith campus so there鈥檚 more to it than just one religion. It鈥檚 truly a place where you鈥檙e able to learn a lot about different backgrounds. Being able to see that on the campus is a beautiful thing.鈥
The 2024 theme, 鈥淲e Shine Brighter Together,鈥 highlights the connections people build through shared traditions, conversations and creative expressions.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not every day that the entire campus is all in one place,鈥 said Murph Lennemann 鈥27. 鈥淚 walked around and I鈥檝e seen a million people. Just in the time I鈥檝e been standing here, I鈥檝e seen five people that I know. One of the nice things about being on a somewhat smaller campus is that you get to know so many people.鈥
Originally a Christmas celebration, the event has evolved over the years to celebrate a multitude of faiths and identities 鈥 something Hillary Zaken, director of multifaith programming and engagement, says is reflective of the university.
鈥淭he Festival of Lights and Luminaries is a great opportunity to bring everyone on campus together around what matters to them. People are here sharing what matters to them, and I think people carry those stories and that knowledge away with them,鈥 said Zaken. 鈥淭here are students who, before they came to 黑料不打烊, never knew anyone who is Hindu or Muslim or Jewish, or from other cultures from their own, and this is a way to see it in a fun way. It鈥檚 a low bar to developing religious literacy.鈥
For the 10th year, and with the festival coinciding with Giving Tuesday, the luminaries featured the names of university donors spread throughout the Historic Neighborhood, the Lambert Academic Village and Under the Oaks. As a first-year student, Lilly Cyprow 鈥28 was taking in the festival with fresh eyes and even got to see her name on a luminary Under the Oaks, thanks to a gift from her mother.
鈥淲hen I saw that my mom put my name on a luminary, I was really happy,鈥 said Cyprow. 鈥淵ou get to feel included as part of the community in a bigger sense.鈥
Aubrey Kocsis 鈥27 was released early from cheerleading practice to attend the festival, taking photos with friends in front of Fonville Fountain.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 so special to see all these cultures in one place and learn about the world around us a little bit more,鈥 said Kosis. 鈥淚 love how beautiful it is too. I love the holiday spirit and all of the lights being up. It鈥檚 just exciting and beautiful.鈥
The festival鈥檚 success is a collaborative effort, with contributions from the Truitt Center, the Department of World Languages and Cultures, Facilities Management, Technology Services, Catering, Student Involvement, University Advancement, University Communications and the Office of the Vice President for Student Life.
