Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
Hinamatsuri is an annual festival that takes place on March 3rd and is associated with the start of spring. It is known as ‘Girls Day’ in English. The festival prays for the growth and prosperity of young girls. One way it is celebrated is with the display of traditional Japanese dolls called hinaningyo at home. … Continue reading “Hinamatsuri 3 March”
St David’s Day celebrates the patron saint of Wales on the 1st March each year. Welsh people celebrate by wearing the national emblem of Wales, either a daffodil or a leek. St David’s date of birth is unknown but he lived around fifteen centuries ago. He became a monk at a young age and founded … Continue reading “St David’s Day 1 March”
15 February marks 150 years since the birth of Ernest Shackleton, the Anglo-Irish Antarctic explorer who attempted to reach the South Pole. He is most associated with four expeditions exploring Antarctica, particularly the Trans-Antarctic (Endurance) Expedition (1914–16) that he led, which, although unsuccessful, became famous as a tale of remarkable perseverance and survival. Born in County Kildare … Continue reading “150th anniversary of the birth of Ernest Shackleton”
Vasant Panchami, also called Saraswati Puja in honour of the Hindu goddess Saraswati, is a festival that marks the preparation for the arrival of spring. It is a Hindu and Sikh festival that marks preparations for the beginning of the spring season. Vasant Panchami also marks the start of preparation for Holika and Holi, which take place … Continue reading “Vasant Panchami/Saraswati Puja 14 February”
Bagpuss, the most magical, saggy, old, cloth cat in the whole wide world, is 50. The children’s show first aired on 12 February 1974. Made by Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate, Bagpuss lived in a shop that was a home for lost property. Only 13 episodes were ever made, the programme and it has remained … Continue reading “Bagpuss is 50!”
As the Year of the Rabbit comes to an end, the Year of the Dragon, more specifically the Wood Dragon, begins (10 February 2024-28 January 2025). The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig and each has their own distinctive qualities and … Continue reading “Lunar New Year -Year of the Wood Dragon”
La Chandeleur, celebrated on February 2nd, holds a special place in French culture. While it’s often associated with crêpes, its origins trace back to some ancient pagan rituals and Christian traditions. Historically, it marked the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, symbolising a transition from the winter season to spring. Nowadays, La … Continue reading “La Chandeleur: Celebrating French Tradition”
Time to Talk Day, on February 1st, shines a light on mental health and its presence in our society. In a world where stigma and silence often prevent conversation regarding mental health, this day encourages open dialogue, empathy, and support. This day serves as a reminder that talking about mental health isn’t just beneficial; it’s … Continue reading “Time to Talk Day: Breaking the Silence on Mental Health”
29 January 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of HE Bates. Herbert Ernest Bates (1905-1974) was an English novelist and is widely recognised as one of the finest short story writers of his generation. His first novel The Two Sisters was published in 1926, with a collection of short stories ‘Day’s End, and … Continue reading “H.E. Bates 50th anniversary”
National Puzzle Day recognises the value of puzzles including crosswords, jigsaws, word search and sudoku and is celebrated on 29 January. Spending time on puzzles improves memory, cognitive functions and problem solving skills. Different puzzles can test vocabulary or logical thinking. Whilst puzzles are now considered leisure activities, they were originally used for purely educational … Continue reading “National Puzzle Day”
