Celebrating Cultural and Linguistic Diversity at Diwali
Fostering community and promoting student wellbeing
25 October 2024 I The Queensland Institute
Celebrating the Festival of Light #Diwali
UQ Voices, the international student choir we proudly support, had the honour of performing at the Diwali celebrations at The University of Queensland on 24 October, 2024.
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by millions of people across the globe, particularly in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and other South Asian communities. It marks the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, with vibrant festivities, food, and music bringing people together.
This year, UQ Voices added their unique touch to the celebration with a performance that brought together voices from around the world. The choir sang its first-ever song in Hindi, "Dildaara - Stand by Me," symbolising the beauty of unity in diversity. The audience was moved by the heartfelt performance, showcasing how music can transcend borders and cultures.
The UQ Voices Story
Founded by the UQ School of Psychology in January 2022 as a research and wellbeing initiative, UQ Voices has continued to support international students by providing them with a platform to connect, express themselves, and celebrate their unique cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The choir serves as a space where students from different parts of the world can find belonging, build friendships, and explore the universal language of music.
We are excited to share that our research on the choir's impact has recently been published. The study highlights how UQ Voices fosters community, promotes student wellbeing, and helps ease the transition for international students through the shared experience of singing.
Look out for the article in libraries soon:
Bos, V., Han, R., Wiebusch, F., Broughton, M. C., & Dingle, G. A. (2024). UQ Voices: Building a community choir for international students following the global pandemic. Australian Voice, in press.
Our Role in Supporting UQ Voices
Since its inception, The Queensland Institute team has been actively involved in UQ Voices—as choir members, in event management, and with our very own Vicki Bos as the Musical Director. We’re incredibly proud to support such a vibrant and diverse group of voices, and it’s been a privilege to witness how the choir has grown into a strong, supportive community.
At The Queensland Institute, we believe in fostering connections beyond the classroom, and UQ Voices is a perfect example of how music and culture can bring people together. We look forward to many more performances that celebrate cultural diversity, language, and connection!
Get Involved with UQ Voices
Keen to get involved? New members are always welcome, and no auditions are required. If you or your organisation would like to support UQ Voices in 2025, we’d love to hear from you!
Follow the choir on Instagram for upcoming rehearsals (every Wednesday 6–8pm during semester) and performances at @uq_voices. You can also email the UQV team at: https://linktr.ee/UQVoices
Connect with Us
Stay tuned for more stories that highlight the achievements of our community at the links below. Connect with Philippa and Fiona via email here. We’d love to hear from you!
