On October 28, 2023, as part of the “Cultural Marathon “Around the World in the Second Semester” Festival, more than 700 international students of Penza State University from India celebrated the Navaratri holiday. The event took place at the Center for Sports and Youth Initiatives.

“Currently, about 3,000 international students from 47 countries are studying at PSU; we respect the cultural traditions of representatives of each country and nation and always provide assistance to the students in holding and organizing national festivals. And Navaratri is no exception. It’s very joyful to see international students from other countries who have come to share this holiday with students from India,” said Gleb Sintsov, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at PSU.

The honorary guests of the holiday were Head of the International Education Office, Sergei Ivanchin, and Chairman of International Students Association of the Penza Region, Adel Ali Omar Maqbol.

International students studying at PSU have the opportunity not only to receive a high-quality higher education, but also to get acquainted with the cultures and traditions of different countries and peoples. For this purpose, national festivals are held as part of cultural adaptation events, and cultural days of various countries are organized. The annual celebration of the most significant holiday in Hinduism, Navaratri, has become a good tradition.

The name of the holiday “Navaratri” combines 2 words “nav” and “ratri”, which are translated from Sanskrit as “9 nights”. Navaratri is nine special nights to transform the negative energy of life into positive energy.

Celebrating the Indian festival “Navaratri” has already become traditional for international students and employees of Penza State University. This year it was held for the ninth time.

“This is a very sincere and kind holiday. It carries justice, the victory of good over evil and spiritual peace. That is why, despite different religions and views, the festival leaves India for the vastness of the planet,” shared a resident student from India Rohit Patil.