Burgburst 2024: A Celebration of World Cultures
Students gather on stage after the annual Flag Walk at Burgburst 2024. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
By Brandon Fey, News Editor
Gettysburg College celebrated one of its most iconic traditions on Saturday, Nov. 23 with its annual Burgburst cultural celebration. This event recognizes the cultural diversity of the Gettysburg College student body and its considerable international representation.
The event was held in the CUB Ballroom, where, starting at 5 p.m., students sampled foods offered by the various cultural organizations on campus which had set up booths around the room.
Among these groups was the Butterfly Coalition, an organization that advocates for immigrants, represented by Cynthia Ortiz-Sanchez ’26.
“I love the event,” she said. “It’s a great way for us as a group, and everyone as a community to express where they come from and be proud of it.”
After about an hour of sampling food from around the world, Director of International Student Services Brad Lancaster delivered opening remarks. He then introduced Phoebe Do ’17, who commenced the annual “Flag Walk,” during which international students marched across the stage carrying the flags of their countries.
Countries represented include: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, China, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Hungary, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Madagascar, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Peru, Portugal, Russia, Tanzania, Turkey, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. Lancaster was the final one to join the stage, representing the United States.
“It’s great to see so many people showing up; it’s really amazing,” commented Beckett Reynolds ’27 who was in attendance at the event.
After the Flag Walk, Burgburst MC Thea Albin ’24 announced the evening’s performances, starting with Ole Beu ’25 who sang the French song “L’Envie” by Johnny Hallyday and the German song “99 Luftballons” by West German band Nena.
Next was Rubaitul Rhythm ’28 who sang a Punjabi song, followed by the Vietnamese dance group the GBaes, who danced to Vietnamese pop music.
Albin then joined The Lost Keys, an a cappella group for a performance of “Dancing in the Moonlight” by King Harvest.
The RAGA-X dance group then performed a South Asian fusion dance that combined Garba, Bhangra, semi-classical and Bollywood choreographic styles. This was followed by a group of four Vietnamese singers called the Warbler Serenades, who sang a Vietnamese song.
After that, the Vibe group performed a dance reflecting the cultural identities of its members. They were followed by Ratul Pradhan ’25 who sang a Nepali song while playing the guitar. He was joined by Jack Joiner ’25, who accompanied him on guitar.
Next was the BOMB Squad dance group, which performed a hip-hop dance routine.
Next, Wilder Condori Obregon ’25 sang the Peruvian songs “Nada Soy” by Los Kipus and “Mi Peru” by Oscar Aviles. Jerry Kulah ’26 and Salmin Mwinjuma ’25 then delivered a poetry performance about hope and joy.
The evening concluded with a cultural performance by a Nepali dance group. They were eventually joined by Lancaster playing a tambourine, and the entire audience was then encouraged to climb onto the stage and take part in the celebration.
See photos from Burgburst 2024 below:
Burgburst was held in the College Union Ballroom. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Students had the opportunity to taste foods from around the world. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Director of International Student Services Brad Lancaster speaking at Burgburst 2024. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Burgburst MC Thea Albin ’24 speaking. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Students took to the CUB Ballroom stage with flags from all over the world during Burgburst. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Students representing Bangladesh at Burgburst. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Students representing the Dominican Republic. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Students holding the flag of Gabon during the Flag Walk. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Students holding the flag of Ghana. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Students with the Indian flag. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Students holding the Kazakh flag. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Students holding the Nepali flag during Burgburst. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
Students with the flag of Vietnam during Burgburst. (William Oehler/The Gettysburgian)
