Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
On 24 October 1945, 51 countries came together to create the United Nations (UN). Its purpose was to promote peace and cooperation around the world and its purpose today is still to preserve international peace and security. Today the United Nations is an organization made up of 193 countries. In many countries around the world, people … Continue reading “United Nations Day 24 October”
2021 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the German federal state of Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony) by the British military government. Located in northwestern Germany, it brought together the former Prussian province of Hanover with the states of Braunschweig, Oldenburg and Schaumburg-Lippe in 1946. To mark this anniversary, the German public television broadcaster NDR broadcast Happy Birthday … Continue reading “Happy Birthday Niedersachsen”
International Pronouns Day, 24 October [occurring annually on the third Wednesday in October], seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace. Referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is basic to human dignity. Being referred to by the wrong pronouns particularly affects transgender and gender nonconforming people. Together, we can … Continue reading “International Pronouns Day”
The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year. This year’s theme is ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’. The green ribbon is in the international symbol of mental health awareness. The past 18 months have brought many challenges for all of us but, in particular, for people with mental … Continue reading “World Mental Health Day”
National Poetry Day is a UK-wide celebration of poetry and this year’s theme is Choice. There is a selection of poems here https://nationalpoetryday.co.uk/celebrate-national-poetry-day/ to get you inspired and engaged, plus an online events listing. One of the many poems featured is ‘Instead’ by Brian Moses Instead of an X-boxplease show me a pathway that stretches to the … Continue reading “National Poetry Day (7 October)”
Navaratri (meaning ‘nine nights’) is a Hindu festival [7-17 October] celebrated every autumn. It is usually held at harvest time. Lasting for nine days, Navaratri celebrates good triumphing over evil. During the festival, three goddesses are worshipped: Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. The first three nights are dedicated to Durga (the mother goddess representing power), the … Continue reading “Navaratri”
Since October 1931, Guide Dogs for the Blind have been helping people with sight loss live the life they choose. The first four guide dog owners in Britain were veterans of the WWI. To honour this, the two main features of the 90th anniversary garden at the Chelsea Flower Show were two metal sculptures – … Continue reading “Guide Dogs for the Blind 90th anniversary”
The theme for this year’s Black History Month is ‘Proud to Be’. For events in BHM here at the University of Birmingham, please visit https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/black-history-month/index.aspx Started in the US as a week-long celebration in 1926 by Carter G Woodson, a noted African American historian, scholar, educator and publisher, in 1976 it became a month-long celebration … Continue reading “Black History Month 1-31 October”
Simchat Torah or Simhat Torah (28-29 September) is a Jewish holiday that celebrates and marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle. The main celebrations of Simchat Torah take place in the synagogue during evening and morning services. In Orthodox, as well as many conservative congregations, this is the only time … Continue reading “Simchat Torah”
Engelbert Humperdinck (1 September 1854 – 27 September 1921) was a German composer, most widely known for his opera Hansel and Gretel. He produced his first composition aged 7, though his parents disapproved of his plans for a career in music and encouraged him to study architecture. Hänsel und Gretel, conducted by Richard Strauss, was produced at … Continue reading “Engelbert Humperdinck centenary”
