Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
Diwali is known as the festival of lights as the festival symbolises the victory of light over darkness. It festival takes place at different times of the year as the Hindu calendar is based on the moon. In 2023, Diwali falls on 12th November. The festival lasts five days and honours the goddess of wealth, … Continue reading “Diwali”
Remembrance Day is a day of remembrance for all those who have died in war. It takes place on 11th November, the day that World War 1 ended with the country observing a minute of silence at 11am as a chance for reflection. Whilst the day first started as a commemoration of World War 1, … Continue reading “Remembrance Day”
Intersex Day of Remembrance Day is on the 8th November. It marks the birthday of French Herculine Barban, an intersex person who lived in 1838 to 1868. Her memoirs were published in the 1970s by Micheal Foucault. An intersex person does not fit the typical definition of male or female due to biological characteristics, however, … Continue reading “Intersex Day of Remembrance Day”
Día de los Muertos, or ‘The Day of the Dead’ in English, is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their loved ones for a celebration with food and drink. The holiday is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd November with the 1st often being dedicated to children who have passed away … Continue reading “Día de los Muertos”
The theme for this year’s World Menopause Day is ‘Cardiovascular Disease’. World Menopause Day was established in 1984 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Menopause Society (IMS) with the intention of spreading awareness about this condition that affects women as they age. Speaking up about the menopause often does not come easily … Continue reading “World Menopause Day 18 October (October is World Menopause Awareness month)”
The purpose of International Pronouns Day is to make space for people to share their pronouns and to promote respect and inclusion of all gender identities. Referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is basic to human dignity. Being referred to by the wrong pronouns particularly affects transgender and gender nonconforming people. Together, … Continue reading “International Pronouns Day 18 October”
The Birth of Baháʼu’lláh is one of nine holy days in the Bahá’í calendar that is celebrated by adherents of the Bahá’í faith and during which work is suspended. The holy day celebrates the birth of Baha’u’llah, which means “Glory of God” in Arabic and he is the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith. The anniversary of the day … Continue reading “Birth of Baa’ullah 16-17 October”
Navaratri (meaning ‘nine nights’) is a Hindu festival 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 next three … Continue reading “Navaratri 15-24 October”
Jean Maurice Eugène Clément Cocteau (1889-1963) was a French poet, playwright, novelist, designer, filmmaker, visual artist and critic. One of the foremost creatives of the surrealist, avant-garde, and Dadaist movements, he was one of the most influential figures in early 20th-century art. In 1917, Cocteau met Picasso. They went to Rome and Cocteau worked with … Continue reading “Jean Cocteau 60th anniversary of his death 11 October”
The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year. This year’s theme is ‘Mental Health is a universal human right’ The green ribbon is in the international symbol of mental health awareness. Mental health problems exist in our lives, families, workplaces and communities, impacting everyone. We need to do as … Continue reading “World Mental Health Day 10 October”
