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Global Illuminations Procession

Global Illuminations Procession

A dazzling international light procession winding through the heart of campus

Event date:
Wednesday 19 November, 1:30 - 7:00 pm, Central Campus

Campus was alive with a dazzling light procession, featuring 7 live performances, a troop of gigantic props, hundreds of lanterns and light shows which created a luminous display, winding through the heart of campus, joined by around 1,200 students, staff and the local community. The rhythm of student musicians guided the procession as they carried handcrafted lanterns and light sculptures, lighting up familiar campus pathways with a creative glow for our Global Illuminations Procession, representing our global and cultural community.

This has been a 19-month adventure of creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. Over 100 staff and at least that many students, have been working hard behind the scenes to bring this spectacle to life. This immense celebration could not have happened without the student societies and staff volunteers. Together with 5 University partners, 8 artists, and 11 student groups, the teams facilitated 17 workshops which contributed to the event on the night, through outdoor performances and a huge array of props and lanterns.

Global Illuminations was one of the exciting events of the One World Warwick November campaign. Events were held on campus and with partners worldwide, One World Warwick.Link opens in a new window

Welcome to the University of Warwick Global Illumination Celebrations. Good evening and welcome!

When you come together and you are in a setup like this, you realise that everyone's culture is so rich and you have so much to learn, and it's just beautiful.

We will have performances also showing the diversity of the University of Warwick

We are an absolutely extraordinary bunch of people, and we want to celebrate that.

As samba band leading a procession with laser lights lighting up the night

Student lantern making workshops

A group of students making lanterns
Lanterns made by students
Students making a lantern
Students making lanterns
Student making a lantern
Students making a lantern

Participants were invited to make their own lanterns at home to use during the procession using household recyclables and some craft items

Event Schedule - Wednesday 19 November

We had a fun packed day, with ways to get creative, meet new people, share your culture and learn about others. Including;

> Student Creative Workshops

1.30 - 4.30pm, Warwick Arts Centre, Faculty of Arts Agora & Copper Rooms 2.

Experts were on hand to help students create their own lanterns and decorations for the evening.

> Food Trucks

11.00am - 7.00pm, Piazza

Food vendors with a range of cuisines from across the world were on standby for a lunchtime treat or a hot drink to fuel your walk.

> Exhibition: Takuro Kuwata, Tea Bowl Punk

1.30pm - 7.00pm, Mead Gallery

Explore the fusion of traditional Japanese ceramics and contemporary artistry in, the first UK solo exhibition by renowned artist Takuro Kuwata.

> UV Face Painting

1.30pm - 4.30pm, Piazza

Give yourself a free glow up with our talented UV face painters.

> Mindfulness Activity: Contemplating Light 

4.00pm - 4.45pm, The Chaplaincy Lawn Labyrinth

The Chaplaincy team guided a mindful space for people to pause, reflect, and find calm and contemplation through light.

> Global Illuminations Procession

5.00pm Piazza

The procession started in the Piazza led by a Chinese Dragon and Impact Steel Samba Band, onto Senate House where a host of Giant Props, Student Samba Band and Canley Samba Band joined the procession, weaving past the Faculty of Arts building, along University Road to be greeted by an incredible laser show and a performance from the Hip Hop Society. Turning into Library Road, a traditional Ukrainian folk song and ritual was performed on the bridge. Light guided the procession through Social Sciences, past the Chaplaincy Labyrinth to the Koan where students from Classical Indian Dance Society performed. The finale in the Piazza featured an energetic performance between the Warwick Brass Society and Ultimate Bhangra.

The bear and '60' lanterns made by students during Welcome Week were featured in the procession

Bear lantern and students
Giant 60 lantern
Bear and 60 lantern
Students at lantern making workshop

Professional Performers

  • Chinese Dragon Dance
  • Ukrainian Folk Music from Karolína Wegrzyn and Ann Jones
  • Canley Samba Band
  • Ultimate Bhangra
  • Creative Factory
  • Impact Steel

Warwick Student Performers

  • Classical Indian Dance Society
  • Hip Hop Society
  • Student Samba (Drum Soc)
  • Salsa Society
  • Steel Pans (Drum Soc)
  • Ukrainian Society
  • Warwick Brass Society
  • Tech Society

Large Lanterns were made by:

  • Tiger lantern – India Forum
  • Parrot lantern – Latin American Society
  • Bear lantern – Student Workshop during Welcome Week
  • Giant 60 lantern – Student Workshop during Welcome Week
  • Panda and Snake – Chinese Society
  • Ukrainian Wreath and Canopy for the performance was created in on the day workshop

Read about the creative journey students went on to create lanterns during free workshops leading up to the event, details hereLink opens in a new window

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