Holiday spirit was high Tuesday evening when students, faculty and others gathered to celebrate the traditions of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
Every year, the Candlelight Celebration draws people in with hot chocolate, musical performances and holiday traditions.
The event, held in the Shaver Theatre, included performances by the LSU Tiger Girls, the LSU Gospel Choir and the Baton Rouge Ballet Theatre. It also included appearances by campus Jewish organization Hillel, representatives from the African American Cultural Center and a Santa Claus.
Allison Harrison, music education junior and president of Hillel, said she attends the event every year because she enjoys the atmosphere it creates.
“It’s always nice to be around friends,” she said.
Harrison participated in the event this year with other members of Hillel, explaining the traditions of Hanukkah to attendees.
“It doesn’t matter what you celebrate,” Harrison said. “It’s the overall sense of the holiday.”
Lisa Congiundi, architecture freshman and member of Hillel, said she likes that the Candlelight Celebration observes holidays other than Christmas.
“It’s nice that people include you,” she said. “It’s a respectful thing to do.”
Harrison agreed.
“We kind of always stand out,” she said. “Especially in Louisiana, there’s not a very large Jewish population.”
Congiundi said her favorite parts of the event were the musical performances and the mood they put people in.
“Everyone’s really happy,” she said. “It’s very exciting.”
Niya Blair, coordinator of the African American Cultural Center, spoke at the event to explain the traditions of Kwanzaa, an African American holiday celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.
“It’s a time to reflect on our past and reaffirm our commitment to the community,” Blair said.
Blair said people celebrate by lighting candles every night for seven days to recognize several principles they should use in their lives.
A man dressed as Santa Claus read “The Cajun Night Before Christmas” and spoke to children in the crowd.
Derek Favret, mechanical engineering senior, said he enjoys that the event celebrates several different holiday traditions.
“It’s easy to get in a bubble here,” Favret said. “It’s cool to see the beliefs, cultures and traditions of others.”
Brianna Reid, a student at the School of Veterinary Medicine, said she feels the same way because she’s Jewish.
“It’s good that different holidays are being recognized,” she said. “I’m Jewish, so it’s nice to see something besides Christmas.”
After the event, attendees walked to Memorial Tower with LSU Ambassadors and cheerleaders to see the holiday tree lights come on.
Michael Braud, mass communication freshman and an LSU Ambassador, said members of the organization also handed out hot chocolate and food before the event.
Braud said his favorite part of the event was the tree being lit up. He said he enjoyed the change in weather, which came just in time for the celebration.
“I love the cold weather,” he said.
Chancellor Michael Martin explained there are boxes set up near the tree to collect for Coats for Kids, a charity the University is supporting with WBRZ.
 
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Contact Rachel Warren at [email protected]