Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
Saint David’s Day (Welsh: Dewi Sant) is the feast day of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales and falls on 1 March, the date of Saint David’s death in 589 AD. The feast has been regularly celebrated since the canonisation of David in the 12th century by Pope Callixtus II. Saint David was a Celtic monk … Continue reading “1 March – St David’s Day, Patron Saint of Wales”
The Carnival of Venice [which this year runs from 8-25 February] was started from a victory of the Venice Republic against the Patriarch of Aquileia, Ulrico di Treven, in the year 1162. In the honour of this victory, the people started to dance and gather in Piazza San Marco. However, under the rule of the … Continue reading “Le maschere del Carnevale di Venezia display in Ashley foyer”
Bicentenary of the birth of Sir John Tenniel, illustrator of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and Alice through the Looking-Glass Sir John Tenniel (28 February 1820 – 25 February 1914) was an English illustrator, graphic humourist, and political cartoonist prominent in the second half of the 19th century. He was knighted for his artistic achievements … Continue reading “I’m late, I’m late, for a very important date – Bicentenary of the birth of Sir John Tenniel, illustrator of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland”
Tom and Jerry are celebrating 80 years of cat and mouse high jinks. Created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera, the duo debuted in the short “Puss Gets the Boot” in 1940, though at the time they were called Jasper and Jinx. They went on to star in 164 animated shorts produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Film … Continue reading “Tom and Jerry Fans are celebrating the beloved duo’s 80th birthday”
Parinirvana Day, or Nirvana Day is a Buddhist holiday which commemorates the death of Buddha and is celebrated on 15 February [it is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the fourth month of the Bhutanese calendar] (and by some on 8 February). This day – also known as Nirvana Day – is celebrated because it … Continue reading “15 February Parinirvana Day”
The first reference to St Valentine’s Day being for lovers came in Geoffrey Chaucer’s 1382 poem Parlement of Foules, when he wrote “For this was on St Valentine’s Day when every bird cometh there to choose his mate.” The Long Engagement by Pre-Raphaelite artist Arthur Hughes was given to the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in … Continue reading “14 February – St Valentine’s Day”
