Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
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 26 August”
Raksha bandhan (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 … Continue reading “Raksha Bandhan 19 August”
International Left Handers’ Day is an international day observed annually on August 13 to celebrate the uniqueness and differences of left-handed individuals. Left Handers’ Day is celebrated on August 13th to represent the approx 13% of the population who are left handed. On 13th August 1992 the Left Handers’ Club launched International Left-Handers Day, an … Continue reading “International Left Handers’ Day 13 August”
Post submitted by Akshita, one of our Student Experience Ambassadors Asalha Puja (20 July 2024), also known as Dharma Day, is one of the most significant Buddhist holidays, celebrated annually on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month, typically in July. This day marks the Buddha’s first sermon, which set the wheel of … Continue reading “Asalha Puja: Celebrating the First Turning of the Wheel of Dharma”
Post submitted by Akshita, one of our Student Experience Ambassadors Bastille Day, celebrated annually on July 14th, commemorates the Storming of the Bastille in 1789, a pivotal event in the French Revolution. While commonly referred to as Bastille Day in English-speaking countries, it is known in France as Fête Nationale Française (French National Celebration) or … Continue reading “Bastille Day le quatorze juillet”
Post submitted by Akshita, one of our Student Experience Ambassadors Black Country Day is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of the Black Country region, which includes Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton. This area is specifically known for where the coal seam comes to the surface, encompassing locales such as Oldbury, … Continue reading “Black Country Day 14 July”
The history of chocolate goes back about 2500 years. The Aztecs loved their newly-discovered liquid chocolate so much that they believed the god of wisdom, Quetzalcoatl, literally bestowed it upon them. Cocoa seeds even acted as a form of currency. Many present day chocolate companies began operations in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with … Continue reading “World Chocolate Day 7 July”
Post submitted by Akshita, Student Experience Ambassador Step into the vibrant celebration of Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks! Shavuot is one of the three pilgrimage festivals along with Passover and Sukkot. Shavuot is a fascinating holiday with agricultural and historical significance. Taking place seven weeks after the first day of Passover, this year Shavuot begins … Continue reading “Shavuot”
Post submitted by Caitlin, Student Experience Ambassador World Portuguese Language Day on 5th May celebrates the cultural richness of the Portuguese language. Honouring the writer Luís de Camões, this day highlights the global influence of Portuguese, spanning four continents and uniting over 260 million speakers. Beyond its historical significance, the Portuguese language serves as a vehicle … Continue reading “World Portuguese Language Day”
Post submitted by Lorna, Student Experience Ambassador This festival celebrates Saint George,the patron saint of England and has a wealth of tradition and history behind it. It is also celebrated by various Christian churches and by the several nations, kingdoms, countries and cities of which Saint George is the patron saint, including regions of Spain and … Continue reading “St George’s Day 23 April”
