What is World Day for Cultural Diversity and Dialogue
Join us on Thursday, May 22 to recognise the United Nations (UN) World Day for Cultural Diversity and Dialogue (WDCDD).
Here at UQ, UQ Wellbeing and the UQU International Collective will be recognising WDCDD at the St Lucia campus with a community-wide event on May 22nd. This celebration will be bringing together multiple elements of cultures and traditions from various cultural groups. There will be activities and workshops introducing you to different cultures, languages, traditions and lifestyles, so don't miss this opportunity to celebrate and appreciate the multiculturalism and diversity across the UQ community!
Venue: The Great Court, St. Lucia
Time: 12 - 5pm
Attendance is free for all community members, including UQ students, UQ staff, UQ alumni and non-UQ community members. All attendees are encouraged to wear their traditional dress.
Come early to receive a $6 food truck voucher. Vouchers are limited to the first 500 students and 1 voucher per student. Food vouchers can be used at food truck and expo stalls.
To see how you can travel to the venue, see your available transport options here.
What's on in 2025
The UQ Community is uniquely diverse,
with over 55,000 students (2022),
of which around 20,700 are
international students from 137 countries
2025 Performance Program
Our cultural stage will showcase cultural performances through music and dance from across the UQ community, including students, staff and alumni.
| Time | Performance | Who | About |
|---|---|---|---|
12.15 to 12.30pm | Welcome to the event Acknowledgement of Country | UQ Wellbeing | |
| 12.20 to 1.30pm | Section 1 | Various Performers (coordinated by Hong Lee, UQ Ventures) | |
12.20 to | Indonesian Horse Dance | Gatut | The Indonesian Horse Dance The Indonesian horse dance is a colorful and lively performance featuring a dancer riding a handmade horse, set to rhythmic music and singing. It is often believed to have mystical and spiritual elements, sometimes involving trance-like states. Traditionally part of rituals, celebrations, and community events, the dance blends local beliefs, customs and cultural expression, preserving the heritage and artistic identity of the Javanese people. |
| 12.30 to 12.40pm | Llamerada | Bolivia Marka Dance Group | The Bolivia Marka dancers are a group of fun-loving people from diverse cultural backgrounds including Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Australia brought together by their love and commitment to preserving Bolivian folklore and sharing it around the world! Llamerada is a popular dance of Bolivian origin. It is a representation of the llama muleteers who went from the highlands altiplano to the valleys to exchange products, using the llama as a means of transporting products. It is also a remembrance of the task of herding llamas and has historical religious value as a ritual of good fortune. |
| 12.40 to 12.50pm | The Contradanza | Tarpuy | Tarpuy is a Peruvian folk dance group performing The Contradanza. We are united by our dedication to preserve and share the vibrant culture of Peru through dance. The name 'Tarpuy' is a homage to our roots, derived from the indigenous Quechua language, symbolising the sowing of seeds. In our hands, dance becomes a seed planted, blossoming into a magnificent representation of Peruvian culture for all to see and appreciate The Contradanza is a traditional cultural expression from the northern highlands of Peru, originally created as a parody of the elegant courtly dances of the Spanish conquistadors. With energetic movements and vibrant costumes, this dance embodies the region’s spirit of resistance, joy, and celebration. It has been officially recognised as part of Peru’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Nation. |
| 1 to 1.10pm | Mexican Dance | Mexican Dance Group Queensland | The Mexican Dance Group of QLD was born in 2015 is located in Brisbane, Australia. Proudly dedicated to sharing the vibrant culture and traditions of Mexico in Australia. Our performance showcase a rich repertoire of music and dance styles from various regions of Mexico. Each part reflects our country’s unique history and cultural heritage. |
| 1.10 to 1.20pm | Looking at homeland from afar (Chinese Folk Dance) | UQ Chinese Cultural Dance Club | UQ Chinese Cultural Dance Club is a branch of Brisbane Chinese Dance Collective, based in St Lucia campus of UQ. From graceful classical moves to energetic folk rhythms-fused with modern stage flair - we dance to share culture and celebrate diversity at UQ! Looking at homeland from afar (Chinese folk dance) |
| 1.30 to 1.45pm | Stage break |
| |
| 1.45 to 2pm | "Solid Rock" by Goanna (UQ Version) | Reconciliation Australia | Reconciliation Australia: Voices for Reconciliation to celebrate National Reconciliation Week – Solid Rock by Goanna (UQ Version) |
| 2 to 4pm | Section 2 | Students and UQU Student Clubs & Societies | |
2 to 2.10pm | Ancient Chinese poem | Dong-Yue Su | Ancient Chinese poem, but in the fusion style of traditional Chinese opera and Western opera. |
| 2.10 to 2.20pm | Indian Cultural performance | UQ Naatak | "Naatak", meaning performance in Sanskrit as well as many languages in India, means to perform and/or act. UQ Naatak's performance will share about the Indian culture and help build a sense of belonging for the international students. |
| 2.20 to 2.30pm | Tamil Cultural dance | UQ Tamil Society | A cultural dance performance from the UQ Tamil Society. |
2.30 | Japanese Drumming taiko performance | UQ Taiko | The Japanese characters 太鼓 (taiko) translate directly to "big fat drum" and it is a form of traditional Japanese music and art that combines powerful beats with dynamic movements. Although intimately a part of Japanese culture for over 1000 years, taiko has now spread all around the world and captured many people's hearts with its lively, loud and energetic performances. |
| 3 to 3.10pm | K-pop dance cover performance | UQ K-pop Dance Club | UQKDC wishes to build and strengthen the existing K-Pop community that is within UQ through dance. While K-Pop encompasses a wide variety of popular culture, we aim to use and share K-Pop choreography dance to bring about a safe and positive environment for the community. |
| 3.10 to 3.20pm | Theri Ungli Pakadke chalaa: Sri Lankan Performance | Al Ameen Sehi Mohamed | Theri Ungli Pakadke Chalaa: Melody which sings the importance of any mother by the son. This song and music is original from Hindi language of India. A very famous song around India and other nations. Piyasala Thurulwela Aadhare: Sinhala language song from Sri Lanka, this is a fast-paced song to get the audience dancing. |
3.20 | Two dance performances | UQ Dance | |
| 3.40 to 3.50pm | "Lenggang Nyai" Indonesian dance | UQISA | An Indonesian dance performance to "Lenggang Nyai", compsed by Wiwik Widiastuti. This dance is about Nyai Dasimah who a beautiful woman from Betawi was who chose a Dutch man named Edward William as her husband. After their marriage, Nyai Dasimah’s life changed. The rules imposed by her husband made Nyai Dasimah feel confined. Feeling that her rights as a woman were being taken away, Nyai Dasimah decided to rebel and fight for her freedom. This dance is a manifestation of the story of Nyai Dasimah in her struggle to fight for her freedom as a woman. |
| 4 to 4.10pm | Section 3: Official Welcome | Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Kris Ryan | |
| 4.10 to 5pm | Section 4 | Global Partnerships (coordinated by Miho Hamad, MC Teuku Ahmad Faris Pasya) | |
| 4.20 to 4.30pm | A Glimpse of Nusantara (Indonesian cultural dance and live music) | Australian Awards Student | This performance highlights the cultural richness and diversity of Indonesia through a sequence of traditional and musical presentations. It begins with the rendition of a national song, evoking a sense of longing for home and expressing a deep emotional connection to the homeland. This is followed by a medley of traditional dances from various regions, showcasing the nation’s vibrant heritage and cultural plurality. The performance concludes with a lively dangdut segment that blends singing and dancing, inviting audience participation to embody the unifying and celebratory spirit of Indonesian popular culture. |
| 4.30 to 4.50pm | Goyang Maju Mundur | Salkomesel (Indonesian Band) | Goyang Maju Mundur is a dance that's typically done at weddings, parties, or other events where people want to have a good time. The point is to let loose, forget about stress, and bond with everyone else there. The steps are super easy, so anyone can join in on the fun. |
| 4.50 to 5pm | Thank you and closing remarks | UQ Wellbeing | |
| 5pm | Monkey Mode | UQ Japan Exchange (UQJX) | A closing performance from UQ Japan Exchange (UQJX) |
(Program last updated 20th May, 5pm.
Please check back for the latest program updates)
Dialogue
Our dialogue section will provide a space for activations and workshops that promote community awareness about the benefits of multiculturalism through intercultural dialogue. There are also workshops to allow you to reflect on yourself, your identity, language and culture.
| Time | Activations/Workshops | Who | About |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 to 3pm | Badges of Belonging and A World In Our Hands | UQ Library | Badges of Belonging Come along to create your own cultural diversity-themed badges! Choose a badge or decorate your own to pledge your support for celebrations of diversity and inclusion. All materials will be provided.
A World In Our Hands Make your mark and contribute to a series of art installations that will be displayed across the various UQ Library locations. These artworks will later be displayed across various UQ Library locations as a temporary installation. |
| 12.30 to 3pm | Vietnamese Coffee: Stronger Than Your Monday Mood (R) | Minh Le, Chau An Pham | Welcome to the world of Vietnamese coffee: rich, unapologetically slow, and packed with bold character. Explore how robusta beans, condensed milk, and a simple metal filter come together to create a flavor that’s deeply rooted in Vietnamese daily life: from bustling Saigon sidewalks to tranquil Hanoi courtyards. This isn’t just coffee. It’s culture, connection, and local ingenuity in a cup. Whether you're a curious coffee lover or a culture enthusiast, come sip, chat, and get a taste. Register here to save your spot! (Warning: May cause cravings and spontaneous plans to visit Vietnam!) |
| 12.30 to 3pm | Cultural Weaving Workshop | Aunty Jannine | Expand your cultural knowledge by joining our Cultural Weaving Workshop. Have a yarn with your peers while learning how to weave special momentos from Aunty Jannine, to bring home for yourself or as a gift to others. |
12 to 4.30pm | Pastoral dialogue bench | Multi-Faith Chaplaincy | Reaching out to international students to chat about wellbeing in their emotional and spiritual space cultivated in an open and friendly campus atmosphere. Free snacks provided. |
12 to 5pm | 'Who We Are' Art Workshop | Heart and Soul Sisters | This creative art workshop encourages participants to creatively paint a canvas which is their own interpretation about who they are, their personality, beliefs and culture. |
| 12 to 5pm | Maypole Dancing | Belswagger Morris Dancers | Come learn to dance Maypole! A pan-European tradition of uncertain origin, Maypole dancing is simple, yes, fun. Learn a handful of basic English Maypole dances to live traditional music. |
| 1 to 5pm | Wear Your Story: Brooch Making | UQ Counselling | Celebrate World Day for Cultural Diversity and Dialogue by creating a unique brooch that visually represents your personal identity. Using a variety of materials, explore the symbols, colors, and textures that tell your story and proudly wear a piece of your heritage and individuality. |
Food Trucks
Matcha and sweets | |
Filipino street food | |
Egyptian Vegan | |
| Djakarta Eat Indonesian | Indonesian street food |
Dumplings |
Come early to receive a $6 food truck voucher! (Please note: Vouchers are limited to the first 500 students and 1 voucher per student. Food vouchers can be used at food truck and expo stalls)
Getting to The Great Court (St Lucia)
You can get to the Great Court at the St Lucia Campus via several transport options.
- From Gatton Campus: View the free intercampus bus timetable and book a ticket here (campuses.uq.edu.au).
- Via public bus: UQ Chancellor's Place and UQ Lakes Bus Station
- Via ferry: UQ St Lucia Ferry Terminal
If you plan to park on campus, you can read more about Parking at UQ and information about paying for parking here (campuses.uq.edu.au).
This event is proudly supported by Allianz Care Australia and the Queensland Government
