Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
With over 500 sweets, a lot of streamers and even more electric diyas, the Cultural Calendar’s first Diwali celebration was a success. We would like to thank everybody who took part, and who joined us in celebrating the day, as we couldn’t have done it without you! To summarise the day: the Cultural Calendar’s Diwali … Continue reading “Diwali – Thank You”
The 5th of November is one of the most notorious dates in British history. On this date a small group of Roman Catholic conspirators attempted to blow up the House of Lords, alongside King James 1 and the Protestant Government. Nowadays the day is remembered and celebrated more for its flashy fireworks displays, although it … Continue reading “Bonfire Night & Coughton Court”
Throughout October the University commemorated Black History Month. First celebrated in the UK in 1987, the month acts as a period to reflect on and remember important people and events in the history of the African Diaspora. At the University, colleges and departments host their own events throughout the month by inviting guest speakers, screening … Continue reading “Black History Month at the University”
Contributed by Priyal Desai Diwali—the festival of lights—is one of the most important festival in Hindu Culture. Signifying the symbolic victory of good over evil, Diwali is celebrated with fervor throughout India where different cultures honor it through varied rituals. In my culture, it is generally a four to five day festival where each day … Continue reading “The Festival of Lights and Joy, where Good Always Prevails”
Diwali, also known as Deepavali or Dipavali is a festival of great significance to Indian Culture. The festival is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains each of which have their own reason for celebrating. There is however one common theme: the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is a … Continue reading “Diwali Celebrations – November 7th”
Halloween is famously an evening of tricks or treats, spooky costumes, and carved pumpkins (also neeps in some parts of Scotland), but the event has a rich history and cultural heritage which can be related back to the Gaelic festival of Samhain; an event marking the end of the harvest, and the beginning of winter. … Continue reading “Halloween: Samhain or Summer’s End”
Last week on Wednesday the 24th of October, the Cultural Calendar kick-started with its first celebration of the year: United Nations Day. In commemoration of this event, which traditionally celebrates the signing of the UN Charter, we organised activities across campus for students, staff, and visitors to take part in. We started the day with … Continue reading “UN Day — A Retrospective”
The Cultural Calendar Blog would be nothing without its student contributions and because of this, the project team have decided to run a competition for bloggers. The premise of this competition is pretty simple: every blog post will be entered in to a draw each semester for the chance to win a cultural prize in … Continue reading “Blog for a Chance to Win”
United Nations Day commemorates the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter. This foundational document was ratified by the five permanent members of the Security Council—France, The Republic of China, the Soviet Union, the UK and the US—and then by the majority of the 46 other signatories on the 24th of October … Continue reading “United Nations Day Celebrations October 24th”
