A Feast for Connection- Ridley College Cultural Festival!
By Quinn Martindale ’27, Resident Editor; Edited by Rebecca Liu ’25, Head Editor-in-Chief
Traditional outfits, captivating musical performances, and the enticing aroma of delicious dishes wafting through the air. It’s not your typical scene at a high school, but it’s what greeted the attendants of Ridley College’s annual cultural festival on January 17th, 2025. The festival was a time of community and connection, with students and their families running dozens of booths that showcased their native cuisines and traditions. It was more than just an interactive event, as the festival offered attendees an opportunity to truly understand and appreciate the diversity of cultures at Ridley College.
The event also served as a platform for students to embrace and proudly share their heritage. It’s a space to not only showcase traditions but also deepen their connection to their own cultures by learning how to prepare native dishes and celebrating their own identity.
And there was certainly no shortage of dishes! From traditional Polish sausage, South African biltong, and authentic Colombian tamales, the festival was nothing short of a culinary feast. But the event hardly stopped at food. Musical performances, including Caribbean drums, Ugandan traditional dances, and Ridley’s own strings orchestra, showed how the school’s diverse cultures could come together in mutual appreciation.
But the true power of the festival was in the personal stories behind each booth. These weren’t just stalls offering food—they were glimpses into the lives of the students and their families. At the Indian table, Manat Hayer ’27 and her family shared their vibrant traditions through henna art and silver bangle bracelets. Meanwhile, at the Chinese booth, parents and students collaborated to craft traditional dumplings, bringing attendees in by joyfully teaching and sharing customs.
The festival was full of life as students, parents, teachers, and staff engaged with one another’s cultures, sparking conversations and fostering connections. Events like this are crucial—not only because they build respect for fellow Ridleians but because they build a greater understanding and appreciation for the diversity of human culture. This inclusivity builds a community with acceptance and open-mindedness, a vital element of life at Ridley College.
When cultures come together, meaningful change begins. The only solution to ignorance is understanding. Festivals like this don’t just celebrate diversity, they actively create a world where unity is flourishing. One dish, one story, one connection at a time—they help to heal our world.
