Harvard Chan School's i-Night Showcases Global Student Talent

Annual event celebrates diversity and cultural exchange at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health held its 35th annual International Night (i-Night) event, showcasing a vibrant display of global talent and cultural performances from students representing diverse backgrounds and experiences. The event, themed 'Threads of Home: A Celebration of Tradition, Culture, and Memory,' highlighted the rich diversity within the Harvard community and the importance of international perspectives in public health.

Why it matters

i-Night provides a platform for Harvard Chan School students to express their cultural identities and share their stories, contributing to a more inclusive and enriching learning environment. The event underscores the school's commitment to fostering a globally inclusive atmosphere, which is a cornerstone of its mission to improve public health worldwide.

The details

The diverse program featured a captivating array of performances, including traditional dances, spoken word poetry, and musical performances. Highlights included a piano rendition of Beethoven's 'Für Elise,' a Bharatanatyam dance, an original piano composition, and a spoken word poem about Haiti. The event was emceed by Kenzo Kimura and Priyam Aturi, and the student government emphasized the global diversity represented by the performers, who hailed from every continent.

  • The 35th annual International Night (i-Night) was held on February 13, 2026.
  • Kenzo Kimura, the president of the Harvard Chan Student Government Association (HCSGA), recently attended COP30 in Brazil.

The players

Kenzo Kimura

The president of the Harvard Chan Student Government Association (HCSGA) and an emcee for the i-Night event. Kimura is also a second-year student in the Department of Global Health and Population's SM-80 program and has participated in a panel discussion on trust in Arctic research and policy as a Harvard Chan student and Rose Service Learning Fellow.

Priyam Aturi

An emcee for the i-Night event alongside Kenzo Kimura.

Rahul Srinivasaragavan

A student who delivered a piano rendition of Ludwig van Beethoven's 'Für Elise' during the i-Night event.

Renu Raj

A student who performed the Indian semi-classical dance 'Bharatanatyam' during the i-Night event.

Rose Jean-Mary

A student who moved the audience with her spoken word poem, 'Haiti is the Nation,' during the i-Night event.

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What they’re saying

“We had performers from every continent, including students from Zimbabwe to Mexico to Haiti to Austria to India to the United States to China. The student government really wanted to emphasize the global diversity that our School and Harvard have to offer. The evening was incredible.”

— Kenzo Kimura, President, Harvard Chan Student Government Association (Harvard Chan School news)

What’s next

The Harvard Chan Student Government Association is already looking ahead to next year's i-Night event, promising another evening of cultural exchange and artistic expression.

The takeaway

i-Night serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of international perspectives in public health and beyond, and the event's continued success speaks to the Harvard Chan School's commitment to fostering a globally inclusive atmosphere and celebrating the diverse experiences of its students.