Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
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”
Sukkot (20-27 September) commemorates the biblical story of the years that the Jews spent in the desert on their way to the Promised Land, and celebrates the way in which God protected them under difficult desert conditions. Also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, or the Feast of Booths, it is a festival for giving thanks for many things, like … Continue reading “Sukkot”
The Attica Prison riot occurred at the Attica Correctional Facility in Attica, New York on 9 September 1971. It was the bloodiest encounter between Americans since the US Civil War, leaving 43 people dead – including ten prison officers and civilian employees, and 33 inmates – and 89 seriously injured. The revolt was based upon prisoners’ demands for … Continue reading “50 years on from the Attica Prison riot”
Krishna Janmashtami, also called Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu. Devotees keep fast on the day of Krishna Janmashtami and offer prayer to the deity for good health and happiness. Hindus believe that on this day, Lord Vishnu, the preserver or sustainer of life, was … Continue reading “Krishna Janmashtami 30 August”
