After the photo exhibition opened on Monday, marking the start of Bethlehem University 's 35 th Anniversary Celebration Week, it was the student and staff picnic day on Tuesday, and the university was turned into a fairground.

Hundreds of students crowded the campus carrying white anniversary t-shirts and baseball caps instead of books and bags today, enjoying an entertainment programme including sports, music and party games.

Everyone entering the main gate swapped the picnic day ticket for the Bethlehem University 35 th Anniversary t-shirt and cap…

…and joined the crowd moving down to the Social & Cultural Center …

…where the students, staff and faculty gathered in the amphitheatre for a balloon release.   Sending balloons in the colours of the Vatican and Palestine into the sky, students and staff…

…gave a widely visible sign of their University's happy anniversary.

Following this, celebrations continued in the auditorium where students squeezed in the stands…

… in order to get a good view on the students vs. staff volleyball match.

Both teams played well, fought with determination and proved great athletic qualities… … but in the end it was the staff team that proudly claimed a 3:1 victory.

After the volleyball match there was another game, bingo this time, offered in the cafeteria……which definitely kept the day exciting.

For those who preferred sports to gambling there was an arm wrestling competition in the auditorium, …

… that really lifted the spirits of those who watched it.   For those who took part, however, it was a tough piece of work and there were some long and exciting contests…

… until Samed (second from left) could prove he definitely made the most of his time in the gym.   As the day drew to a close, some people felt like dancing, thus merrily concluding a party on campus that in itself seems a reason to wish Bethlehem University “Many happy returns”!