Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
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”
On 15 February 1971, United Kingdom’s coinage evolved from the centuries-old system of pounds, shillings and pence and went decimal. This enormous change to UK coinage called for one of the biggest publicity campaigns our nation had ever seen. Decimalisation took many years of careful planning and in order to achieve the monumental challenge of striking … Continue reading “Decimal Day – 50 years ago today”
Parinirvana Day is an annual festival, observed in some Mahayana countries, that remembers the death of the Buddha when he reached the age of 80. When the Buddha died, Buddhists believe that he entered a state called Parinirvana, which means Nirvana without end. It is considered one of the most auspicious days for Buddhists all … Continue reading “Parinirvana Day 15 February”
Saint Valentine of Rome was martyred on 14 February in AD 269. The Feast of Saint Valentine, also known as Saint Valentine’s Day, was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 to be celebrated on February 14 in honour of the Christian martyr. The first reference to St Valentine’s Day being for lovers came … Continue reading “St Valentine’s Day 14 February”
