Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
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”
Chinese New Year – Year of the Ox – officially begins on 12 February 2021, and ends on 22 February The Chinese New Year is popularly known as the Spring Festival in China because it starts from the Beginning of Spring (the first of the twenty-four terms in coordination with the changes of Nature) and marks … Continue reading “Year of the Ox – Chinese New Year”
In the second week of LGBT+ History Month, on the LCAHM Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LCAHM/, we will be looking at artists and musicians – past and present, well known and less so – from the LGBT+ community. This week we have artists Francis Bacon, Romaine Brooks, Claude Cahun and Jean Cocteau and from the world of … Continue reading “LGBT+ History Month”
Mental health problems affect one in four of us, yet too many people are made to feel isolated, ashamed and worthless because of this. Time to Talk Day encourages everyone to be more open about mental health – to talk, to listen, to change lives. Time To Talk Day brings the nation together to get talking and break the silence … Continue reading “Time to Talk Day (4 February)”
In France, La Chandeleur, also known as Candlemas, is celebrated every 2 February (40 days after Christmas Day) by making crêpes. The tradition of feasting on crêpes stuffed with sweet and savoury fillings is a popular one, although there are several thoughts on the origins of the day. It is a day where candles are … Continue reading “La Chandeleur 2 February”
