Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
The theme for this year’s Black History Month is ‘Proud to Be’. For events in BHM here at the University of Birmingham, please visit https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/black-history-month/index.aspx Started in the US as a week-long celebration in 1926 by Carter G Woodson, a noted African American historian, scholar, educator and publisher, in 1976 it became a month-long celebration … Continue reading “Black History Month 1-31 October”
Simchat Torah or Simhat Torah (28-29 September) is a Jewish holiday that celebrates and marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle. The main celebrations of Simchat Torah take place in the synagogue during evening and morning services. In Orthodox, as well as many conservative congregations, this is the only time … Continue reading “Simchat Torah”
Sukkot (20-27 September) commemorates the biblical story of the years that the Jews spent in the desert on their way to the Promised Land, and celebrates the way in which God protected them under difficult desert conditions. Also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, or the Feast of Booths, it is a festival for giving thanks for many things, like … Continue reading “Sukkot”
Krishna Janmashtami, also called Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu. Devotees keep fast on the day of Krishna Janmashtami and offer prayer to the deity for good health and happiness. Hindus believe that on this day, Lord Vishnu, the preserver or sustainer of life, was … Continue reading “Krishna Janmashtami 30 August”
Rakshabandhan (or Rakhi) is a Hindu festival, taking place on the full moon in the month of Sravana, which celebrates brotherhood and love. The word Raksha means protection, whilst Bandhan is the verb to tie. On this day, sisters tie rakhi (a bracelet made of interwoven red and gold threads) on the wrists of their brothers to protect … Continue reading “Rakshabandhan 22 August”
Asalha Puja/Dharma Day (24 July) commemorates the beginning of Buddha’s teaching. Celebrated in the 8th lunar month according to the old Indian calendar, on the day of the full moon, it is one of the most beloved and holy days of the year for those of the Buddhist faith. Buddha gave his first sermon to … Continue reading “Asalha Puja/Dharma Day (24 July)”
Black Country Day 14 July – this day was chosen as it is considered to be the date of the inception of the Newcomen engine, the first commercially successful engine. Invented by Thomas Newcomen in 1712, it was first installed at Coneygree Coal Works in Tipton and was used to pump water out of mines. … Continue reading “Black Country Day (14 July)”
Bastille Day celebrates the storming of the Bastille – a military fortress and prison – on 14 July 1789, in a violent uprising that was a turning point in the French Revolution. Holding gunpowder and other supplies valuable to revolutionaries, the Bastille also symbolized the callous tyranny of the French monarchy, especially King Louis XVI … Continue reading “Bastille Day – le quatorze juillet”
Festa della Repubblica is celebrated on 2 June each year and marks the referendum of 1946, which resulted in the creation of the Italian republic. Italy became a nation on 17 March 1861, when most of the states of the region were united under King Victor Emmanuel II, hitherto king of Sardinia. On 2 June … Continue reading “Festa della Repubblica 2 June”
This most important Buddhist festival is known as either Wesak, Vesak or Buddha Day, and is celebrated annually on the full moon of the ancient lunar month of Vesakha, which usually falls in May, or in early June. It commemorates the birth, enlightenment and the death of Buddha. The day is observed as a public … Continue reading “Wesak (Buddha Day)”
