BY SAVANNAH HARRIMAN-POTE ’20

Feb. 12-18 — Maslenitsa

Maslenitsa is an Eastern Slavic folk holiday that takes place one week before the Russian Orthodox Lenten. According to NPR, the holiday is now tied to Christianity, but was initially celebrated by sun-worshippers to commemorate the lengthening of days and upcoming harvest of the spring season. Maslenitsa is often referred to as “Butter week” because of the abundance of blini, a warm, round Russian crepe that symbolizes the sun; they are usually drenched in butter. 

BY SAVANNAH HARRIMAN-POTE ’20

International students who choose to study at Mount Holyoke often travel thousands of miles from their home country to the United States, but their journey to the College begins long before they board a plane. According to the U.S. Department of State (DOS), citizens of other countries who wish to study at an institution of higher learning in the United States must first obtain a Nonimmigrant type F-1 visa.

BY SAVANNAH HARRIMAN-POTE ’20

Dec. 6 marked the conclusion of the C.A.U.S.E. board’s three-week long winter apparel drive. According to their Facebook page, the C.A.U.S.E board will now give all Mount Holyoke students’ donations of “new or gently used winter clothing” to their two community partners in Holyoke, Enlace de Familias and Nueva Esperanza. 

BY SAVANNAH HARRIMAN-POTE ’20

VariAsians performance was held on Friday evening in the Chapin Auditorium. 

BY SAVANNAH HARRIMAN-POTE ’20

The South Asian Students Association (AWAZ) hosted their annual Diwali celebration in Chapin Auditorium on Friday. The name Diwali derives from deepavali, which is Sanskrit for “rows of lighted lamps.” Lights are a central element of the celebration.

BY SAVANNAH HARRIMAN-POTE ’20

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Madagascar is entering its fourth month of an unusually severe plague outbreak. As of Oct. 26, 124 individuals have died from the disease out of 1,200 confirmed in suspected cases.

BY SAVANNAH HARRIMAN-POTE ’20

According to Geo TV, a Pakistani television channel, Pakistan secured a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Monday, Oct. 16. The election was decided through secret ballot, and each candidate had to receive a simple majority of the 193 General Assembly member votes in order to receive a seat. Pakistan garnered 151 votes.

BY SAVANNAH HARRIMAN-POTE '20

In conjunction with the Chinese Music Ensemble, the Chinese Cultural Association (CCA) hosted their annual Mooncake Festival on Skinner Green on Friday, Sept. 29. The celebration featured traditional and contemporary music, games and — of course -— mooncake. 

BY SAVANNAH HARRIMAN-POTE ’20

The New York Times reported that President Trump addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the first time at their headquarters in New York City on Tuesday, Sept. 19.