It was a full house at Kimmel Theatre for the 2026 Culture Show as the Hilltop community gathered for the nearly three-hour show created and produced solely by students.
The past four years have been a time of growth and revival for the long-running performance. It used to be organized by a student organization called Eyes of the World, but now the International Student Association (ISA) plans the Culture Show. Moodi Elawady ’26 remembers the night before that first Culture Show organized by ISA opened four years ago.
“I almost had no sleep that night to make sure the plan would go as we envisioned, and personally, it was a challenge to provide a high-quality show that tells the rest of the campus that the Culture Show should be a campus tradition from now on,” Elawady said. “I consider that night to be the rebirth of having the international students’ voice on campus. We believed as a team and acted as a family until we built what we have today, the ISA.”
The ISA just concluded its fourth Culture Show, and at the end of the 2026 production, Associate Professor of Kinesiology Lewis Kanyiba, one of the emcees for the Culture Show, called a group of students to the stage to recognize and thank them for their hard work. He called the seniors “pioneers” and “ambitious” first-year students who revived the show to what it is today.
“This is personal to me,” said Kanyiba, who supported the students every step of the way. “When these guys were freshman they put in countless hours—meeting every block break. They took the time and put the constitution together (for ISA) and got the Culture Show at Cornell started. I’m so proud of this group right here. You guys, I love you so much.”
The seniors honored include:
Kanyiba also recognized a few young alums, including Henry Morray ’23, MkpoutoAbasi James ’24, and Saad Mankarious ’25.
Degirmenci has been the president of ISA for the last two years. She says it’s been one of the most meaningful experiences, even though organizing big events is challenging.
“We put this show on every year, regardless of all of our busy schedules, because it is one of the most beautiful, exhilarating, and rewarding performances we get to display every single year,” Degirmenci said. “It has always comforted me to perform at the Culture Show because it takes me to Türkiye for one night only. Our hope is that every performer feels the same way and that our audience gets to visit home with us for the duration of the show.”
Over the past four years, students played various roles in the show. Many performed, some created videos, and others served in organizing positions. While Hamadziripi could not attend the 2026 show, she enjoyed serving as an organizer during her first year and performing during her sophomore year.
“I loved being part of the creative process, helping rebuild and reimagine the show after COVID,” Hamadziripi said. “It was rewarding to contribute to something that brings people together and celebrates identity in such a vibrant way.”
For Neupane, it’s more than just the show; it’s a whole week of festivities. Cultural Celebration Week includes a variety of events organized by different student organizations, the Intercultural Life Office, and faculty and staff.
“The decoration of Bon, different cuisines that Bon makes for us, the rehearsals, the chaos of planning, inviting our professors and staff, working on the documentary, making art for the backdrops for the show, everything makes it what it is. It’s like a festival,” Neupane said.
The Culture Show wrapped up the week of celebrations, highlighting how Cornell’s campus holds pieces of the whole world in the heart of the Midwest. ISA students are leaving their mark on Cornell.
“We create a place for international students to bring a piece of their home to Cornell, and a chance for the rest of the student body to experience other cultures,” Degirmenci said. “This beautiful community we’ve built has always been a shoulder to lean on to one another, and my hope would be that our community never stops building each other up and cheering each other on.”
Kanyiba says he hopes future students will carry forward what this all‑star group of seniors has created.
“The work that you put in will be forever appreciated,” Kanyiba said to a packed crowd as the 2026 Culture Show came to a close.