#CULTUREWEEK
As an events blogger, writer and one who has a few expertise
up my sleeves on events; I will be honest about one thing-Daystar Nairobi
campus culture week was a flop! Totally it flopped! I love seeing a great initiative
trend and take hold that is why when I was invited to USIU (United States
International University) Culture Week; I couldn’t refute-I had to snob
Daystar’s.
Both events at these two prestigious universities were going
down on the same week. The glitz? The glamour? It was there in abundance at
USIU culture week. At Daystar, we lacked that and we drank our sorrows to
stupor with the free Nescafe coffee. In fact, not even our students had an idea
it was culture week. Moreover, Daystar culture week lacked the hype and the
excitement. Why you ask? I will tell you why! It is because, we are doing the
same things done by past leadership over and over again, expecting different
results. Does it work that way? Hell, no!
I will give you a clear perspective on how USIU turned their
earlier low hyped event into one of the best ever calendar event in their
history and in my history of events blogging. Running from Tuesday to Thursday,
with over 60 countries, international and continental, the cultural
performances and the stars were a plenty.
Gates opened as early as 9am each day. The tents were up;
and the exhibitors and sponsors pitched tent all day. Each country had to
display what it has to offer. And I mean the best since there were judges, made
up of a panel of students and lecturers going round to assess each culture
exhibited. The after affair in each tent- music met fashion, great food and the
best of the country’s culture.
Don’t even get me started on the mode of dressing. This is
it; there people unlike us here in Daystar care! The students dressed to impress.
They brought culture and fashion on the same pedestal. At Daystar; I found
myself and a few others in our African regalia. Nobody cared to dress-up; let
alone make it out the Freedom Corner for fashion week. USIU culture week went
viral from the onset. Good PR! The “selfie campaign” similar to The Oscars; of
the event on social media created the much needed hype and plus Nokia Lumia
phones were up for grabs for the best “selfies.”
But the climax of it all was the Thursday Night concert.
Coca cola brought in free sodas for everyone; a cool tent and of course Dj Joe
Mfalme on the decks. Here, each country had the privilege of showcasing their
best culture performance in terms of music, dance, fashion, you name it. All
these for the bragging rights and for a trophy that is contested annually.
Someone told me that USIU events are always great because
they have funding. I will be honest again because I had a chat with the event organizers
and the funding they get from their administration is way too low to pull such
an event.
I pressed on to find out how they did it. What does it take?
If there is a magical formula behind the success of USIU culture week and any
event for that matter; this is it; students who care, passion for what they do;
a driving ethos about making the university urban positive and a better place
but above all; willing sponsors who believe in an idea and are willing to
partner with the student-organized event- and hence overall benefit in terms of
smart and cool solutions for their businesses and a willing market amongst the
students.
How can Daystar redeem herself? Well, we start now. Mr. and
Miss Daystar pageant is almost here and as long as you, the Daystar student,
believes in it, then we will make it a success!
By Embukane Vincent Libosso.
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