Category: Annual Celebration

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”

What is Diwali? Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. The festival, which coincides with the Hindu New Year, celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness which is why Diwali is also known as the festival of lights. People worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord … Continue reading “Diwali (2-6 November)”

The Day of the Dead is a traditional holiday celebrated in Mexico and is elsewhere associated with the Catholic celebrations of All Saints’ Day (1 November) and All Souls’ Day (2 November). It is both a remembrance and celebration for the dearly departed. November 1, called Día de Los Inocentes, or Día de Los Angelitos, is the day … Continue reading “El día de los Muertos”

This year Muhammad’s birthday, Mawlid or Eid Milad un Nabi, derived from the Arabic ‘to give birth’, is observed on sundown of 18 October to sundown on 19 October. The date varies each year as it is governed by the lunar calendar. Prophet Muhammad’s birthday is commemorated by Muslims during the month of Rabi’ al-awwal, … Continue reading “Mawlid”

National Poetry Day is a UK-wide celebration of poetry and this year’s theme is Choice. There is a selection of poems here https://nationalpoetryday.co.uk/celebrate-national-poetry-day/ to get you inspired and engaged, plus an online events listing. One of the many poems featured is ‘Instead’ by Brian Moses Instead of an X-boxplease show me a pathway that stretches to the … Continue reading “National Poetry Day (7 October)”

Navaratri (meaning ‘nine nights’) is a Hindu festival [7-17 October] 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 … Continue reading “Navaratri”