The history of Ukrainian embroidery, calligraphy workshops, Uzbek and Mexican games, artistic performances and a discussion on UNESCO are some of the attractions of the fourth edition of the Cultural Hot Spot festival.

On 17th May, the Cultural Hot Spot festival took place on the UW campus at Krakowskie Przedmieście. The event has been introducing the academic community to the traditions of international students at the University of Warsaw for the past four years.

On the day of the festival, the space between the Faculties of History and Archaeology was filled with stands presenting cultures and traditions of fifteen countries and regions and twelve student organisations. Turkey, Brazil, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Mexico, Moldova, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Iran, Malaysia, Japan, China, Armenia, Vietnam, and Transylvania as a multicultural region, had their representatives. The stands were hosted by Polish and international student volunteers and representatives of student organisations from the Faculty of Oriental Studies.

Embroideries, raffles and dancing

The organisers prepared numerous attractions. At the Ukrainian stand, visitors could learn about the history of a shirt adorned with traditional embroidery, known as “wyszywanki”. Volunteers representing Japan invited visitors to take part in a raffle, while Uzbeks offered a Kim oladi-yo shuginani-yo game, i.e. putting on a traditional hat – the doppo – without using your hands. Representatives from Moldova talked about wine production and local cuisine. Festival participants could also delve into the art of calligraphy, read Brazilian comics, dress up in traditional costumes or write their names in Vietnamese, Ukrainian, Chinese and Korean.

The event also featured artistic on-stage performances in front of the Old Library. UW students and invited guests from Ten Shin Kai, Monarka Mexfolk, Triana Flamenco Dance School, Moc Aloha, QAMARIYA Group presented martial arts, folk dances and songs from Armenia, Azerbaijan, South Korea, Mexico, Poland, India, Portugal and Hawaii.

This year’s edition of the Cultural Hot Spot UW also included a discussion on the role of UNESCO in the protection and promotion of intangible cultural heritage. The debate featured Dr Hanna Schreiber,  the head of the UNESCO Chair on Intangible Cultural Heritage in Public and Global Governance, and Dr Julia Krzesicka from the UW’s Faculty of Political Science and International Studies.