Diversity celebrated at annual Pangaea Cultural Show

Durham College’s seventh annual Pangaea Cultural Show (Pangaea) took place on March 22 in the Campus Recreation and Wellness Centre at the Oshawa campus. Hosted by the Student Association and the Diversity office the event attracted over 450 guests to celebrate the college’s rich diversity and showcased live performances of music, dance and theatre.

The event kicked off at 6 p.m. with the Taste of the World featuring food from seven different cultures including Asian, Italian, Caribbean, Mediterranean, East Indian, Mexican and Polish cuisine.

Durham College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) students then took to the stage to showcase their cultural talents in single and group combinations. With a variety of performances ranging from Aboriginal drummers, Mexican folk songs, salsa, Lebanese and Indian dances along with a performance of the Pakistani national anthem, students proudly shared their cultures with all in attendance.

“Pangaea embodies the college and university students’ artistic approach and practices within their respective cultures,” said Michelle Lee, vice-president of Campus Clubs. “It truly is a night of food, music, dance and theatre made to take the audience on a journey through the eyes of our students and their cultures.”

A campus tradition since 2005, the term Pangaea refers to the single continent that existed on earth before the plates split into the continents we recognize today.

“As an event, Pangaea allows our student community to come together and create more awareness in a diverse and social setting,” said Lee. “Its’ purpose is not to represent all diverse and beautiful cultures in the world but to highlight those within our own community and unique environment here at Durham College and UOIT.”