Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
The month of Ramadan is expected to begin on Monday 2 April, following the sighting of the moon over Mecca. Lasting for 30 days, this year Ramadan is expected to end on 1 May, depending on the sighting of the moon. The auspicious month of Ramadan is a time for reflection, contemplation and celebration. Sawm … Continue reading “Ramadan”
Samuel Morse (1791-1872) was an American inventor and painter who contributed to the invention of a single-wire telegraph system based on European telegraphs. Co-developer of the Morse Code, he helped to develop the commercial use of telegraphy. He was also a noted painter – among others, he was commissioned to paint US President James Monroe in … Continue reading “150th anniversary of the death of Samuel Morse”
25 March marks the 75th birthday of Elton John – the English singer, pianist and composer. Over a career spanning six decades, as well as solo work, he has collaborated with John Lennon, Kiki Dee and George Michael and, in more recent times, Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa. Producing more than 30 albums (and some … Continue reading “Elton John at 75”
Take time to connect, supporting the millions of people who are grieving, and remembering the family, friends, neighbours and colleagues we’ve lost over the last two years. For details of online events and what’s going on near you, please visit https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/get-involved/day-of-reflection
Nowruz is the Iranian New Year, also known as the Persian New Year, which begins on the spring equinox (21 March), marking the first day of Farvardin, the first month of the Iranian solar calendar. This is one of humanity’s oldest holidays, which predates the Persian Empire and can be traced back 5,000 years to … Continue reading “Nowruz – Iranian New Year”
Holi, also called the festival of sharing and love or the festival of colours, is a Hindu two-day festival in the Spring. This year the festival starts at sundown on 17 March to sundown on 18 March, with the first day of the festival called Chhoti Holi or Holika Dahan and the second Dhuleti or … Continue reading “Holi (17-18 March)”
Saint Patrick’s Day, Lá Fhéile Pádraig, “the Day of the Festival of Patrick”, is a cultural and religious celebration for the foremost patron saint of Ireland (c. AD 385–461). Tradition says that he spent many years evangelising in the northern half of Ireland and converted “thousands”. Patrick’s efforts against the druids were eventually turned into an allegory in … Continue reading “St Patricks’ Day”
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is that it is the International Day to End Violence against Women. We must #ENDviolence! It offers an opportunity to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history … Continue reading “International Women’s Day 8 March”
Books aren’t just for bedtime 3 March 2022 marks the 25th anniversary of World Book Day which was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe on the first Thursday in March.This year’s theme is ‘You are a Reader’. It is the … Continue reading “World Book Day”
Hinamatsuri, also called Doll’s Day or Girls’ Day, is a special day in Japan. It is celebrated on 3 March of each year, with platforms covered with a red carpet which are used to display a set of ornamental dolls (雛人形, hina-ningyō) representing the Emperor and Empress, attendants, and musicians in traditional court dress of the Heian. Hinamatsuri is one of the five seasonal … Continue reading “Hinamatsuri”
