Vibrant celebration of world culture at Pestalozzi

THE colour and diversity of international culture was on show at Pestalozzi in Sedlescombe at the weekend.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Mar 2014, 09:49 BST
Celebration 2 SUS-140319-163804001Celebration 2 SUS-140319-163804001
Celebration 2 SUS-140319-163804001

From Belizean spices to Bhutanese relish, contemporary street dance to traditional Nepali steps, Ugandan poetry and the story of King Arthur as told through Zambian eyes, Pestalozzi’s International Celebration embraced a vibrant mix of flavours, music and fashion.

The event raised £800 for charity.

With the sun shining and the daffodils and cherry blossoms in full bloom, visitors were welcomed by students from eight countries across Africa, Asia and Central America.

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Lunch included a choice of dishes from Eastern Africa, Nepal and Belize, served on rice and garnished with Bhutanese ema datshi (chilli cheese relish).

This was followed with sweets from Tibet and India, washed down with Ugandan ginger tea, spiced chai or non-alcoholic pineapple beer.

East Sussex County Council chairman Colin Belsey opened proceedings with a short speech praising Pestalozzi’s work with young people from disadvantaged communities around the world.

He was followed closely by the first set of performances: a beautiful Indian love song, student poems about women in Nepal and Uganda and an alternative rendition of ‘Sword in the Stone’ from Zambia.

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Some visitors then chose to go on a guided walk around the Pestalozzi estate, while others remained to watch an eclectic set of tradition and contemporary dances from Nepal, Bhutan and Uganda, followed by a Buddhist song.

Pestalozzi students devised a challenging world knowledge quiz. The afternoon wrapped up with a set from the Pestalozzi Pirates student rock band, supported by local musicians.

International Celebration is an annual event where Pestalozzi students showcase their own cultures and share their experiences.

Pestalozzi has welcomed young people from around the world to the beautiful village of Sedlescombe since the 1950s. The charity gives scholarships to exceptional young people from disadvantaged communities, allowing them to complete their secondary education and go on to make a difference in the world. You can find out more about Pestalozzi online: pestalozzi.org.uk