World Day for Cultural Diversity is celebrated annually on 21st of May and recognises the importance of cultural diversity, inclusion and understanding between different communities and backgrounds. The day was created by the United Nations to encourage dialogue between cultures and highlight the value that diversity brings to workplaces, societies and everyday life.
To celebrate World Day for Cultural Diversity, we asked colleagues to share a tradition, food, celebration, or experience from their culture that they’d like others to know more about.
From celebrations and family traditions to the role food plays in bringing people together, their responses highlighted just some of the different cultures and experiences represented across our teams.
Here are a few of the stories shared by our colleagues:
Mustafa Onol – Official Veterinarian (Turkey)
“One cultural tradition I’d love others to know more about is Turkish breakfast culture from Türkiye. In Türkiye, breakfast is much more than just a meal — it’s a social experience where family and friends gather around the table for hours, especially on weekends. A traditional Turkish breakfast includes cheeses, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, eggs, fresh bread, jams, honey, and unlimited Turkish tea.
Another important celebration is Ramadan Bayramı (Eid al-Fitr), where families visit relatives, younger people show respect to elders by kissing their hands, and sweets such as Baklava are shared with guests and neighbours. Baklava is one of the most famous traditional Turkish desserts and is strongly connected with hospitality and celebrations.
I think Turkish culture is especially known for making people feel welcome through food and shared experiences, and I’d love more people to experience that side of it.”
Ahmed Agrama – Meat Hygiene Inspector (Egypt)
“I am proud to say that I come from Egypt, the land of the Pyramids, Red Sea, Luxor, the 7000 years civilisation, the river Nile, the 1000 mosque, the Mediterranean Sea and the city named after Alexander the Great.
Sham El-Nessim which translates to Smelling the Breeze. It is an all-faith celebration in Egypt which dates to 2700 BC. This means it has been celebrated for around 4000 years now!
It is the second Monday of April and usually determined by the Egyptian Calendar. Egyptians on that day go picnicking in parks and along the banks of the River Nile. It is known for eating Feseekh (fermented, salted fish), onions, and lettuce.”
Ece Sengoz – Official Veterinarian (Turkey)
”A part of Turkish culture I’d love others to know more about is Turkish breakfast culture. In Türkiye, breakfast is not something rushed — it’s a time to gather with family and friends, drink lots of tea, and enjoy many small dishes together. It represents hospitality, connection, and spending quality time with people you care about.”
Havva Erden – Official Veterinarian (Turkey)
“One thing from Turkish culture that I would love others to know more about is the way people care for street animals. In Turkey, it is very normal to see cats and dogs freely walking around cities, cafés, malls, or even sitting next to you in Starbucks. They do not belong to anyone, but in a way, they belong to everyone.
People leave food and water outside for them, build small shelters, and look after them together as a community. Seeing a cat sleeping inside a shop or a dog relaxing in the subway is completely ordinary for us.
Another lovely part of this culture is that council vets provide free healthcare for street animals, and private vets offer large discounts or sometimes even treat them for free. I think it reflects a culture of kindness and shared responsibility toward animals that makes everyday life feel warmer and more connected.”
With colleagues from around the world, we have a huge range of cultures, traditions, and experiences that make up our teams. Thank you to everyone who shared a part of their culture to mark World Day for Cultural Diversity.
Interested in a role with us? Head to our Join the Team page to find out more.
