Category: Annual Celebration

Maha Shivaratri (1 March) is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the god Shiva. It celebrates the grand marriage of the lord of destruction, Shiva – with the goddess of fertility, love, and beauty, Parvati, who is also known as Shakti (power). A major festival in Hinduism, this festival is solemn and marks a remembrance of … Continue reading “Maha Shivaratri”

The National Day of Wales is St. David’s Day and is 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 word … Continue reading “Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! (Happy St. David’s Day)”

Maslenitsa is an Eastern Slavic religious and folk holiday, which has retained a number of elements of Slavic mythology in its ritual, celebrated during the last week before Great Lent. It celebrates the end of winter chills and the start of spring, of warmth, of hope, of growth. It is mostly celebrated by Eastern Slavs, … Continue reading “Maslenitsa 28 February-6 March”

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 that festival. On this day … Continue reading “Saraswati Puja/Vasant Panchami 5 February”

In France and Belgium, crêpes are traditionally served on La Chandeleur (Candlemas). This day was originally Virgin Mary’s Blessing Day but became known in France as “Le Jour des Crêpes” (“The Day of the Crêpes”), referring to the tradition of offering crêpes. The tradition dates back to 472, when Pope Gelasius I offered crêpes to French … Continue reading “La Chandeleur 2 February”

Xīnnián hǎo 新年好 This year, Lunar or Chinese New Year falls on 1 February, although celebrations will typically last 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year’s Eve (31 January) until 15 February . This year is Year of the Tiger. The tiger is known to be king of all beasts in China and comes third … Continue reading “Lunar New Year 1-15 February”

Martin Luther King Jr was born on 15 January 1929. An American Baptist Minister, he grew up in the Southern United States under segregation, a policy that required Blacks to use separate facilities to Whites and toattend different schools. King rightly believed that the policy of segregation was unjust and he spoke out openly about … Continue reading “Martin Luther King Jr Day 17 January”

Hanukkah (28 November-6 December) celebrates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 160s BC. After outlawing the Jewish religion and Jewish practices, King Antiochus IV decreed that Jews must worship Greek gods in the Temple. The word ‘Hanukkah’ means dedication and commemorates the triumph of a band of rebel Jews known as the … Continue reading “Hanukkah”

The Birth of Baháʼu’lláh is one of nine holy days in the Bahá’i calendar that is celebrated by Bahá’is and during which work is suspended. The holy day celebrates the birth of Bahá’u’lláh the founder of the Baháʼí Faith.  Bahá’u’lláh was born on 12 November 1817 in Tehran, Iran and this holy day was instituted in the Kitab-i-Aqdas, his … Continue reading “Birth of Bahá’u’lláh (6-7 November)”

Guy Fawkes Night, held every year on the November 5, marks the anniversary of the discovery of a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill King James I in London in 1605. Guy Fawkes (also known as Guido Fawkes while fighting for the Spanish) and his band of catholic conspirators were discovered and … Continue reading “Guy Fawkes’ night”