Category: Annual Celebration

Nowruz is the Iranian New Year, also known as the Persian New Year, which is celebrated worldwide by various ethno-linguistic groups. Nowruz has Iranian and Zoroastrian origins, however, it has been celebrated by diverse communities for over 3,000 years  It remains a holy day for Zoroastrians, Bahais and some Muslim communities. Nowruz is the day of the vernal equinox … Continue reading “20 March Nowruz – Iranian New Year”

In South Africa, Human Rights Day is celebrated on 21 March in remembrance of the Sharpeville massacre which took place on 21 March 1960. This massacre occurred as a result of protests against the Apartheid regime in South Africa. The annual commemoration is a reminder about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of  democracy in … Continue reading “21 March South Africa – Human Rights’ Day”

  Saint Patrick’s Day, (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, “the Day of the Festival of Patrick”), is a cultural and religious celebration for the foremost patron saint of Ireland (c. AD 385–461). Tradition says that he spent many years evangelising in the northern half of Ireland and converted “thousands”. Patrick’s efforts against the druids were eventually … Continue reading “St Patrick’s Day 17 March”

International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March every year and is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights. The earliest Women’s Day observance in 1909 was called ‘National Women’s Day’ and was held in New York City, organised by the Socialist PArty of America at the suggestion of activist Theresa Malkiel. There … Continue reading “International Women’s Day 8 March”

    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 million stories‘. It is the perfect opportunity for parents, teachers … Continue reading “March 5 – World Book Day”

Saint David’s Day (Welsh: Dewi Sant) is the feast day of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales  and falls on 1 March, the date of Saint David’s death in 589 AD. The feast has been regularly celebrated since the canonisation of David in the 12th century by Pope Callixtus II. Saint David was a Celtic monk … Continue reading “1 March – St David’s Day, Patron Saint of Wales”

The Carnival of Venice [which this year runs from 8-25 February] was started from a victory of the Venice Republic against the Patriarch of Aquileia, Ulrico di Treven, in the year 1162. In the honour of this victory, the people started to dance and gather in Piazza San Marco. However, under the rule of the … Continue reading “Le maschere del Carnevale di Venezia display in Ashley foyer”

Parinirvana Day, or Nirvana Day is a Buddhist holiday which commemorates the death of Buddha and is celebrated on 15 February [it is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the fourth month of the Bhutanese calendar] (and by some on 8 February).  This day – also known as Nirvana Day – is celebrated because it … Continue reading “15 February Parinirvana Day”

The first reference to St Valentine’s Day being for lovers came in Geoffrey Chaucer’s 1382 poem Parlement of Foules, when he wrote “For this was on St Valentine’s Day when every bird cometh there to choose his mate.” The Long Engagement by Pre-Raphaelite artist Arthur Hughes was given to the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in … Continue reading “14 February – St Valentine’s Day”