Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March every year and is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights. This year’s theme is ‘Choose to Challenge’. 1909 – The earliest Women’s Day observance, called “National Woman’s Day,” was held in New York City organized by the Socialist Party of America. 1910 – In … Continue reading “International Women’s Day 8 March”
Maslenitsa (8-14 March) is an Eastern Slavic religious and folk holiday, which has retained a number of elements of Slavic mythology in its ritual, celebrated during the last week before Great Lent. It celebrates the end of winter chills and the start of spring, of warmth, of hope, of growth. It is mostly celebrated by … Continue reading “Maslenitsa”
Because books aren’t just for bedtime World Book Day 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 ‘Share a story’. It is the perfect opportunity for parents, teachers and children to … Continue reading “World Book Day 4 March”
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 material 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. … Continue reading “Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Day)”
The National Day of Wales is St. David’s Day and is always observed on 1 March, the traditional date of his death in 589 AD. Saint David (known as Dewi Sant in the Welsh language) was a Celtic monk born towards the end of the fifth century and was Archbishop of Wales. He spread the … Continue reading “Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!”
In the final week of LGBT+ History Month, on the LCAHM Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LCAHM/, we feature some artists and musicians – past and present, well known and less so – from the LGBT+ community. This week we have artists Keith Haring, Beauford Delaney, Aubrey Beardsley and David Hockney and from the world of music Boy … Continue reading “LGBT+ History Month – final week”
Jen Wilbur, currently studying for an MA in History of Art, created a two-part blog to highlight how you can experience all thirteen of the MAP (Midlands Art Papers) partner institutions in the safety and comfort of your own home. From Birmingham to Wolverhampton, stopping off at Coventry, Derby, Dudley, Leamington Spa, Leicester, Lincoln, Stoke … Continue reading “Experience Art in the Midlands at home”
Ash Wednesday is a Christian holy day of prayer and fasting. Preceded by Shrove Tuesday, it falls on the first day of Lent, the six weeks of penitence before Easter. It is traditionally observed by Western Christians. Ash Wednesday derives its name from the placing of repentance ashes on the foreheads of participants in the … Continue reading “Ash Wednesday 17 February”
16 February Also known as Shri Panchami/Saraswati Panchami, this is a Hindu festival dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati. The festival marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring – Vasant Panchami means the fifth day (‘Panchami’) of Spring (‘Vasant’). It takes place 40 days before Holi and marks the start of preparations for … Continue reading “Saraswati Puja/Vasant Panchami”
In the third week of LGBT+ History Month, on the LCAHM Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LCAHM/, we are looking at artists and musicians – past and present, well known and less so – from the LGBT+ community. This week we have artists Leonor Fini, Gilbert & George, Felix Gonzales-Torres and from the world of music Freddie Mercury, … Continue reading “LGBT+ History Month”
