Mid-April brought something really special to campus this year. Over the 14th and 15th, the Winter Garden in Juniper House turned into a lively, colourful space as we celebrated both Thingyan (the Myanmar New Year) and Pohela Baishakh (the Bengali New Year).
With over 50 students and staff dropping by across the two days, it felt less like a formal event and more like a shared celebration — the kind where you can wander in, try something new, and end up staying longer than you planned.
A Splash of Joy: Thingyan – Myanmar Water Festival
Thingyan is all about fresh starts, and honestly, you could feel that energy straight away.
One of the nicest touches was the “Padauk Tree,” where people could write their New Year wishes and hang them up. It quickly filled up with little notes — some thoughtful, some funny, all adding to the atmosphere.
There was also the chance to receive a traditional water blessing, which felt like a quieter, more reflective moment in between everything else going on. And for anyone curious about cultural traditions, trying the plant-based natural product was a small but memorable highlight.
And of course, no Thingyan celebration would be complete without water. The water guns came out, and what started as a gentle sprinkle quickly turned into a full-on (but very friendly) water fight. Safe to say, it’s hard to leave without smiling.
Colour, Creativity, and Culture: Pohela Baishakh 1433
At the same time, Pohela Baishakh brought a slightly different energy — just as vibrant, but a bit more laid-back and creative.
The space filled with music, and people gathered around tables to draw, chat, and snack on chocolates. It had that easy, drop-in feel where you could sit down for a few minutes and end up staying for much longer.
Even if you’d never celebrated Bengali New Year before, it was a really approachable way to experience it — no pressure, just a chance to enjoy the atmosphere and try something new.
Both events were led by our Student Experience and Employability Lead, Cleo Ding, alongside the Bangladeshi Student Society and a brilliant team of student ambassadors.
They created something that felt genuinely welcoming — not just a showcase of traditions, but a space where people could connect, get involved, and have a bit of fun in the process.