Happy Friday! As we prepare for the upcoming extended weekend, we wanted to share the adjusted hours of the Mosaic for November 24- 28.

Monday, November 24: 10 am - 6 pm 

Tuesday, November 25: 10 am - 6 pm 

Wednesday, November 26: CLOSED

Thursday, November 27: CLOSED

Friday, November 28: CLOSED

The Mosaic will re-open to our regular hours again on Monday, December 1, 2025 at 10 am. 

As a reminder regular Fall hours will end the day before Study Day, Wednesday, 12/10. Final's Week (December 11-17/20) Hours will be posted by December 3. 

*Please note that space hours might shift based on staff availability, reservations, and event times. For more information, check out our myUMBC pages for each space below:

• The Mosaic Center for Cultural Diversity 
• The Pride Center for LGBTQIA2+ Diversity 
• The Gathering Space for Spiritual Well-Being 

The Festival of Lights, Diwali, is a five-day celebration that began this year on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

The festival's main night of Lakshmi Puja is on Monday, October 20, 2025, and is a profound spiritual observance symbolizing the universal triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.

Diwali is primarily celebrated by those of the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain faiths, along with some Buddhists, but its message of hope and renewal is shared by communities worldwide. 

During this special time, homes are illuminated with colorful lights and traditional clay lamps, or diyas. The lighting of these lamps, along with celebratory fireworks meant to ward off evil spirits, signifies a spiritual awakening and the coming of prosperity. It is a time for family gatherings, sharing traditional sweets and savory foods, and strengthening bonds with loved ones.

The Five Days of Diwali 

1. Dhanteras (Oct 18)

2. Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali (Oct 19)

3. Lakshmi Puja (The main day: Oct 20)

4. Goverdhan Puja, Balipratipada, or Annakut (Oct 21 or 22, depending on region)

5. Bhai Dooj, Bhai Tika, or Bhai Bij (Oct 22 or 23, depending on region)

From all of us at the Mosaic, we wish you and your loved ones a Diwali that brings warmth, peace, and lasting prosperity. Have a joyful Festival of Lights!

Indigenous Peoples' Day: Honoring Community and History

Today, we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day, a time to honor and recognize the rich cultures, contributions, and histories of Indigenous communities across the United States. This day serves as a reminder of the ongoing impact of colonization and the resilience of Indigenous peoples. Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year. 

Indigenous communities have faced erasure and marginalization, often misrepresented through harmful stereotypes, media, and caricatures. They continue to confront systemic violence and disenfranchisement. Acknowledging their struggles and achievements requires more than a designated day. It is essential to elevate Indigenous voices, support their communities, and engage in practices that promote awareness of their joys and challenges. We must actively challenge injustices against Indigenous peoples.

About Indigenous Peoples' Day
In 2021, President Biden issued the first presidential proclamation of Indigenous Peoples Day. South Dakota was the first state to celebrate "Native American Day" in 1990 as a counter to "Columbus Day." Berkeley, California, was the first city to recognize Indigenous Peoples' Day in 1992, protesting the 500th anniversary of Columbus's arrival.

Despite the observance of Indigenous Peoples Day, many still refer to this day as "Columbus Day," celebrating Christopher Columbus and the self-proclaimed "discovery" of the New World. However, history reveals that Columbus was not the first to discover the Americas, and honoring "Columbus Day" overlooks the brutal treatment and genocide of Indigenous peoples. His voyages led to the near extinction of the Taino people and marked the beginning of widespread colonization in the Caribbean.

Uplifting Voices: We are called to elevate Indigenous voices, actively support their communities, uplift the untold histories, and challenge the injustices they continue to face. By doing so, we commit to promoting awareness of both their joys and challenges.

As we acknowledge the land our university occupies, we pay tribute to those who originally cared for it and confront the historical and ongoing injustices faced by displaced communities. This acknowledgment must serve as a foundation for genuine commitment and action to support Indigenous communities, past, present, and future. Land acknowledgments are just the first step in recognizing Indigenous peoples and their histories. We encourage everyone to honor the Indigenous peoples who came before us, those who are present today, and future generations, celebrating their rich legacies. 

We extend our deepest gratitude to all Indigenous faculty, staff, and students at UMBC.

Join us today as we celebrate and honor Indigenous Peoples Day for our Donuts & Dialogue event in collaboration with the UMBC Indigenous Peoples' Union. Stop by the Mosaic Center from 12-1pm. 

Join IPU on October 16 for their Interest Mixer. Learn more at their myUMBC page here. 

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a vibrant harvest celebration and holiday observed across a number of Asian countries and communities worldwide. It traditionally falls on the 15th day of the 8th month of the Lunar calendar, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest.

The official start of the celebrations for 2025 is Monday, October 6th. Some countries and cultures celebrate across multiple days. 

A Celebration of Harvest and Family

Predominately observed in countries like China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, the festival is a time for gratitude, reunion, and observing the bountiful autumn harvest.

While the central theme of gathering with family and loved ones is universal, each culture brings its own unique traditions, whether it's a specific emphasis on the full moon, honoring ancestors, or celebrating children.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is known by several beautiful names, reflecting the cultural diversity of its observance:

• China (Mandarin/Cantonese) | 中秋节 (Zhōngqiū Jié) / 中秋節 (Jūng-chāu Jit) (Mid-Autumn Harvest Festival, Mooncake Festival) 
• Vietnam |  Tết Trung Thu (Also known as the Children's Festival)
• Korea | 추석 (Chuseok) / 한가위 (Hangawi) (Often referred to as "Korean Thanksgiving")
• Japan | 月見 (Tsukimi) (Moon Viewing)
• Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan | Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival
• Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia | Lantern Festival (Note: This is distinct from the Lantern Festival that takes place in the first month of the Lunar calendar)