Peterborough College Celebrates Unity at TogetherFest

Peterborough College’s campus was transformed into a vibrant hub of culture and connection as students and staff hosted TogetherFest. Carrying the poignant theme of “Many Roots; One Community,” the annual event celebrated the strength found in diversity and the shared values that bind the Inspire Education Group (IEG) family together.

The day was a true student-led showcase, featuring everything from solemn tributes to high-energy performances, all designed to champion the many voices that make up the local community. The event featured a powerful tribute to Stephen Lawrence, marking Stephen Lawrence Day. Led by Uniformed Services students, the ceremony provided a moment of reflection for those in attendance. The energy continued with dancing led by Science students, followed by a spectacular Cultural Catwalk. Organised and hosted by Travel & Tourism students, the catwalk celebrated heritage and fashion from across the globe.

Music fans were treated to the CollegeVision Song Contest. The competition was organised by an Engineering student, Illia Zelenenkyi and supported by a Music Production student, demonstrating the incredible collaboration between different departments.

Reflecting on the inspiration behind the contest, Illia said: “I created College Vision to celebrate the diversity of our college and bring different cultures together through music. It is also a chance for students to express their talent and grow in confidence. My hope is that this initiative continues to grow beyond our college and inspires similar projects in other cities and educational communities in the future.”

The college grounds buzzed with energy throughout the day as students and staff came together for a series of interactive stalls and fundraising initiatives. The ESOL department spearheaded the “Global Flavours & Giving” efforts with a successful bake and craft sale benefiting the British Red Cross, while the Travel & Tourism and Early Years students fostered “Interactive Learning” through world map activities, global storytelling, henna artistry, and paper chain crafting. Providing a foundation of “Support & Wellbeing,” the LRC team and the college’s Christian and Muslim chaplains remained on hand to engage the community, ensuring the event was as inclusive as it was vibrant.

The festival was bolstered by the attendance of several key community organisations, showcasing the city’s vibrant cultural scene and heritage:

• GLADCA
• PARCA
• Peterborough Cultural Alliance
• Jumped Up Theatre
• Peterborough Museum
• Discover Peterborough

Reflecting on the success of the day, Katharine Levy, Group EDI & Community Engagement Coordinator, said: “Our annual cultural awareness celebration is one of our most highly anticipated events, and this year’s theme, ‘Many Roots; One Community’, celebrates strength in diversity and unity in our shared values. We are incredibly grateful to the local heritage and community organisations who joined us to showcase some of Peterborough’s vibrant cultural scene, and I am so proud of our fantastic students who have been involved in planning and performing every aspect of this event. This is exactly what TogetherFest is about: connecting our diverse community and championing every voice.”

TogetherFest continues to be a highlight of the academic calendar, proving that while our roots may be different, we grow stronger when we grow together.

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