Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
Time to Talk Day is about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health. We all have mental health. By talking about it, we can support ourselves and others. One in four of us will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Don’t forget the wealth of … Continue reading “Time to Talk Day 3 February”
In France and Belgium, crêpes are traditionally served on La Chandeleur (Candlemas). This day was originally Virgin Mary’s Blessing Day but became known in France as “Le Jour des Crêpes” (“The Day of the Crêpes”), referring to the tradition of offering crêpes. The tradition dates back to 472, when Pope Gelasius I offered crêpes to French … Continue reading “La Chandeleur 2 February”
1-28 February LGBT+ History Month is annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. The overall aim of LGBT+ History Month is to promote equality and diversity for the benefit of the public by Increasing the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual … Continue reading “LGBT+ History Month”
Xīnnián hǎo 新年好 This year, Lunar or Chinese New Year falls on 1 February, although celebrations will typically last 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year’s Eve (31 January) until 15 February . This year is Year of the Tiger. The tiger is known to be king of all beasts in China and comes third … Continue reading “Lunar New Year 1-15 February”
January 29 is National Puzzle Day, the perfect day to do a little brain exercise. Whether it’s a crossword, jigsaw or Sudoku, puzzles engage our brain in more ways than one. Scientists have discovered that when we work on a jigsaw puzzle, we utilize both sides of the brain, improving memory, cognitive function and problem solving … Continue reading “National Puzzle Day 29 January”
Martin Luther King Jr was born on 15 January 1929. An American Baptist Minister, he grew up in the Southern United States under segregation, a policy that required Blacks to use separate facilities to Whites and toattend different schools. King rightly believed that the policy of segregation was unjust and he spoke out openly about … Continue reading “Martin Luther King Jr Day 17 January”
15 January marks the 400th anniversary of the birth of French actor, playwright and poet, Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, also known as Molière. Widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the French language, his works include comedies, farces and tragicomedies, His plays have been translated into every major living language. As a sixth-form student at … Continue reading “Molière 400 in 2022”
8 January 2022 marks what would have been the late great David Bowie’s 75th birthday. Regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, his work was acclaimed by fellow musicians and critics, particularly his innovative work in the 1970s. He studied art, music and design before embarking on a professional career … Continue reading “David Bowie 75th anniversary”
Steve Biko (1946-1977) was ideologically an African nationalist and social who was at the forefront of a grassroots anti-apartheid campaign known as the Black Consciousness Movement during the late 1960s and 1970s. Studying medicine at the University of Natal, he became increasingly frustrated that National Union of South African Students (NUSAS) and other anti-apartheid groups … Continue reading “75th anniversary of the birth of Steve Biko, South African anti-apartheid activist”
Regarded as one of David Lean’s greatest films, ‘Great Expectations’, starring John Mills (as Pip), Alec Guinness, Bernard Miles, Jean Simmons and others, was released on 26 December 1946. On the BFI’s list of 100 top films (1999), it reached 5th place. It was the first of two films Lean directed based of Dickens’ novels … Continue reading “75th anniversary of David Lean’s ‘Great Expectations’”
