Wholesome Reflections From The 2021 Luminaries
Elon University created the Festival of Lights 35 years ago to recognize the roles that faith and light plays in the lives of the community. This year, Elon hosted their most recent Festival of Lights on November 30, 2021 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and it was one of the most extravagant ones yet.
Over 2,400 luminaries lined the brick pathways in the Historic Neighborhood, Under the Oaks, and across Academic Village, and over 50,000 lights illuminated the buildings and trees all around campus. Also, there were different interactive stations where students could learn about different religious/spiritual traditions that take place during the holiday season. To make this festival all the more merry, acapella groups were performing outside of West Residence Hall and Belk Amphitheater and hot chocolate and cider were served at every corner.
This beloved tradition creates an inclusive religious atmosphere by educating the Elon community about different types of faith traditions while also stirring up holiday cheer during one of the busiest weeks of the semester.
However, the festival has had different impacts on students of all ages over the years. The question is: how does the current student body feel about the Festival of Lights?
When asked what the Festival of Lights means to them, a freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior weighed in on their experiences with it.
“I loved seeing it,” first year Lila Ceribelli says. “My friends and I walked around and took pictures and I thought it was so pretty. It also reminded me a lot of my childhood because that was a tradition in my neighborhood growing up!”
The event was certainly a perfect opportunity to take cute pictures and see the campus that ranked 4th most beautiful in the country all in the holiday spirit!
For sophomore Isabel Gouveia, the festival truly reminds her what it means to be a part of the Elon community, and makes her feel more connected to the environment around her.
“The holiday season has always been my favorite and most memorable time of year. Being surrounded by loved ones and sharing traditions is so special and a reminder of how truly blessed I am,” Gouveia says. “As a college student, it can be hard to get into the holiday spirit with finals and other responsibilities taking priority, but the luminary festival each year gives me a small piece of home. It is a tradition that I will forever cherish during my time at Elon and beyond. Each luminary represents a student, a voice, and a commitment to bettering Elon University everyday. I feel privileged to be able to grow in an environment that is constantly evolving with me, and I feel that the luminary festival truly embodies that.”
While the festival means many things to some students, for some it is a simple and cute way to catch a study break!
Grace Sullivan, a junior, loves how wholesome the event is.
“For the past three years, my roommate and I have walked through it and have gotten hot chocolate,” she says. “We used it as a little study break, and while it is nothing super special, it is definitely a beautiful night.”
Lastly, for Elon senior Janae Carpenter, it is the perfect mood booster.
“This is one of my favorite Elon traditions,” Carpenter says. “It always puts me in a good mood seeing all of the trees lit up...even if I’m coming from a late night at the library!”
Whether the Festival of Lights is simply a quick study break, or it is a reminder of how special the Elon community is, it is one of Elon’s most beloved traditions. It is a perfect “no pressure” type of event; Students can come quickly to just grab a cup of hot chocolate for 15 minutes or they can spend two hours learning about all different types of holiday traditions the students take part in!