Category: Annual Celebration

Top to bottom: Mary Seacole, Artemisia Gentilischi, Theodora, Elizabeth Fry Mary Seacole (1805-1881) In her late forties, Mary travelled from her home in Jamaica to Britain to offer her services as a nurse during the Crimean War (1853-56). Despite being turned down, Seacole refused to give up: a woman of mixed-race with a Jamaican mother … Continue reading “International Women’s Day 8 March – a dozen doyennes”

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March every year and is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights. This year’s theme is ‘Choose to Challenge’. 1909 – The earliest Women’s Day observance, called “National Woman’s Day,” was held in New York City organized by the Socialist Party of America. 1910 – In … Continue reading “International Women’s Day 8 March”

Maslenitsa (8-14 March) 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 … Continue reading “Maslenitsa”

Because books aren’t just for bedtime World Book Day was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe on the first Thursday in March. This year’s theme is ‘Share a story’. It is the perfect opportunity for parents, teachers and children to … Continue reading “World Book Day 4 March”

Hinamatsuri, also called Doll’s Day or Girls’ Day, is a special day in Japan. It is celebrated on 3 March of each year, with platforms covered with a red carpet material which are used to display a set of ornamental dolls (雛人形, hina-ningyō) representing the Emperor and Empress, attendants, and musicians in traditional court dress of the Heian. … Continue reading “Hinamatsuri (Doll’s Day)”

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

16 February 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 … Continue reading “Saraswati Puja/Vasant Panchami”

Parinirvana Day is an annual festival, observed in some Mahayana countries, that remembers the death of the Buddha when he reached the age of 80. When the Buddha died, Buddhists believe that he entered a state called Parinirvana, which means Nirvana without end. It is considered one of the most auspicious days for Buddhists all … Continue reading “Parinirvana Day 15 February”

Saint Valentine of Rome was martyred on 14 February in AD 269. The Feast of Saint Valentine, also known as Saint Valentine’s Day, was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 to be celebrated on February 14 in honour of the Christian martyr. The first reference to St Valentine’s Day being for lovers came … Continue reading “St Valentine’s Day 14 February”

Chinese New Year – Year of the Ox – officially begins on 12 February 2021, and ends on 22 February The Chinese New Year is popularly known as the Spring Festival in China because it starts from the Beginning of Spring (the first of the twenty-four terms in coordination with the changes of Nature) and marks … Continue reading “Year of the Ox – Chinese New Year”