The first Miss & Mrs Cross Continent event in Dublin showed how a pageant can combine cultural diversity, leadership and practical community education.
Approximately 450 people attended the Dublin programme, where 24 contestants representing seven nations presented their cultures, talents and personal messages.
The organisers worked with The Truth About Drugs Ireland to include an educational element alongside the pageant and cultural performances.
Drug education formed an important part of the event, with guided exhibition tours introducing visitors to information about commonly used drugs. Many of news eu ukraine the contestants studied Truth About Drugs materials in advance, and several completed the full series of fourteen online courses.
Mayor of South Dublin Cllr. Francis Timmons addressed the audience and highlighted the value of cultural diversity, education and prevention.
The pageant was accompanied by a diverse cultural programme featuring dancers from several community organisations.
At the end of the competition, Niveditha Vudayagiri was named Miss Cross Continent 2026. Fortunate Lindokuhle Masina was named first runner-up, while Yuki Yuliatin became second runner-up.
By combining cultural expression with drug education, the programme gave the traditional pageant format a wider social purpose. Further background appears in the article covering the Dublin pageant promoting culture, leadership and drug awareness.