The winter holidays on Trinity’s campus are an anticipatory tradition; the lights on the Campanile tree cue an approach to the month-long break from college work. The excess of dread is only barely eclipsed by the forecast of a long rest at home.
For many, Christmas celebrations dominate their holidays. In 2022, the Central Statistics Office of Ireland reported that ‘over 3.5 million people living in the State reported their religion was Roman Catholic, accounting for 69% of the population.’ For the 3.5 million people living in the State, Grafton Street decorations and Browne Thomas window displays would be appropriate, if not appreciated.
The nearly forty-foot spruce has been annually lit in early December for over 14 years. The lighting is weighed with excitement: students gather in large crowds to count down. The Provost often makes an appearance for a short speech before joining the onlookers herself. It’s the foremost celebration on College Green; not one ceremony can rival its popularity.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t any interest. The College is reported to represent 122 nationalities. None of which have gained the same traction during the winter season.
Students were asked in an anonymous form by The University Times whether they felt well-represented by Trinity College. A growing number of them find themselves less visible in the crowd of Santa-hat-bearing students.
Two respondents to a forum provided by The University Times explicitly stated their holiday is “overlooked” by the administration, and another respondent felt celebrating Diwali could be “improved”.
One of the students who celebrated Hanukkah described the holiday as a “story of resilience, of patience and of faith in God”. “The story of Hanukkah is very personally meaningful for me,” the respondent continues, “but it also allows me to partake in Christmas, as most of my family are catholic and my girlfriend is Anglican. Having a holiday that I can use to connect with them is so important.”
33% of the respondents felt their culture, religion, or celebration could be improved on campus. One student who celebrates Diwali emphasised the more optimistic effects of most holiday festivals, which often have “to do with brightness when the world gets colder and darker.”
Students whose religions diverge from the majority were statistically found to reinvest the time into the celebrations between them and friends, between them and family. Many hosted gift exchanges, “White Elephant” in particular, and quality time, “before we split for the holidays”. One respondent noted that they recreate “things with friends” in an effort to preserve their family’s traditions while at college.
When asked, students requested slight, but not insignificant changes. Some asked for menorah displays, others asked for lights to display on multiple occasions. Others stressed the value of food and requested “seasonal menus in the buttery/dining hall/forum to acknowledge festivals.”
“We all deserve to celebrate,” the respondent concluded.
