IH Dublin recently hosted a vibrant Cultural Afternoon that brought together colour, creativity, and cultural exchange. Led by teacher Karina and her PET afternoon group, the event welcomed students from the Key and Pre-Intermediate classes, along with teachers Adam, Chris, Maria, and Liam, for an afternoon dedicated to two iconic traditions: Brazil’s Carnival and Mexico’s Día de los Muertos.
From the moment participants stepped into the classroom, they were greeted by a festival atmosphere filled with music, art, and plenty of laughter. Students took an active role in shaping the event by delivering presentations, running hands-on cultural workshops, and even writing poems dedicated to teachers Ginger and Maria, as well as our Director of Studies, Fearghal.
The Mexican group introduced classmates to papel picado, a traditional folk art made by cutting intricate designs into colourful paper. They also demonstrated Día de los Muertos face-painting, transforming classmates into elegant Catrinas. Meanwhile, the Brazilian group brought the joyful spirit of Carnival to life by guiding everyone in creating their own decorative masks.
The afternoon ended with an energetic celebration featuring samba dancing and the well-known Mexican group dance Payaso de Rodeo, leaving everyone smiling and inspired.
Events like this highlight the power of cultural exchange in the classroom, creating opportunities for students to share their heritage, learn from one another, and build a stronger sense of community.