The Global Student Association hosted its annual Holi Festival of Colors. UNK students joined in on the colored powder, water balloon and water gun fun.
Many students look forward to this event each year.
“There are always so many people smiling and laughing at the event,” said Anais Andazola, a UNK senior majoring in sociology and vice president of the association. “Overall, people have a lot of fun interacting with others on campus. It’s just a really fun experience for everyone involved.”
The festival has taken place for three years now. It is hosted by the GSA, which works closely with the Office of Intercultural Engagement and Leadership. The group provides students with activities to learn more about different cultures and traditions and connect with others.
The Holi Festival of Colors is a celebration that occurs in Nepal and India. The festival is all about love and welcoming spring. The event was originally planned to take place at the end of March, but cold weather resulted in it being postponed to the start of April. It was located on the greenspace south of the Nebraskan Student Union. Approximately 30 individuals joined in on the fun this year.
Students were advised to wear clothes that could get dirty and were provided with protective eye goggles. At the event, there were bins filled with vibrant colored corn starch, water balloons and water guns. The students ran around and covered each other in various bright colors until they were all gone. The GSA provided the students with free blue T-shirts.
Some students had never attended the event before.
“This was my first time coming to this event,” said Bailey Rogers, UNK freshman majoring in exercise science. “I honestly came to have fun and let loose a bit. This was such a nice break from school and studying.”
Some students can’t wait for the event next year.
“I would definitely come to the event in the future,” said Jordyn Cross, a UNK freshman majoring in biology 7-12. “My favorite thing about this event was probably chucking water balloons and throwing color at people.”
Staff members of the GSA have high hopes for the future.
“I hope to see the event become bigger and more similar to the celebrations that take place in India and Nepal,” Andazola said. “That way, international students can feel more at home and other students on campus are more aware of the tradition and can learn from it.”
Photos by Shelby Berglund / Antelope Staff
