The Graduate Medical Education (GME) Diversity Committee at Cooper University Heath Care is happy to announce our inaugural celebration of the Hindu festival of Holi. This event, also known as the Festival of Colors and Spring, will take place on Wednesday, April 17, 2024.
Event Details:
- Date: April 17, 2024
- Time: 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Location: The lawn outside the Roberts Pavilion (Camden Campus)
- Attire: Feel free to wear any attire, preferably white. However, black scrubs or other clothing are equally welcome in case changing isn’t feasible. Please bring a change of clothes if you can.
What to Expect:
- Learn and experience the Holi traditions.
- Enjoy free Indian snacks and drinks on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Dance, laugh, and celebrate the playful throwing of colored powders and water with fellow Cooper team members.
Participation Details:
- Participants should plan on leaving the lawn without re-entering the hospital. Anyone who must return to work in the hospital after the event will be directed to enter the side emergency exit door to the Conference Center for clothing changes to prevent tracking colored powder inside the hospital.
- Access to the respective parking areas will be available from outside the main building.
Background on Holi:
- Festival of Colors: Holi marks the arrival of spring and symbolizes the victory of good over evil.
- Ancient Origins: Dating back to the 4th century, Holi is celebrated by the South Asian diaspora around the world.
- Tradition of Gulal: During Holi, participants throw gulal, a colorful powder made mainly from cornstarch and food dyes.
- Significance of Gulal Colors:
- Blue: Calmness
- Yellow: Happiness
- Pink: Good health
- Green: New beginnings
- Purple: Peace and wisdom
- Orange: Courage
- Red: Love
- White and black: Not traditionally used
We hope you will join us to celebrate this vibrant occasion with our Cooper team.