Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
Contributed by Jennifer Arvin Furlong In the U.S. we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy the third Monday of January every year. January 18 marks his birthday, so naturally our news media are filled with images of celebrations and parades from across the country. These images are usually combined with lessons about King’s life … Continue reading “A Lesson from the Mountaintop – MLK Day”
Merry Christmas everyone! No doubt you have been bombarded with Christmas activities over the past few weeks. From departmental Christmas parties, to Carol Services, and celebrations on Chancellor’s Court, there was always something going on around campus throughout December. With the big day fast approaching, we have decided to post about celebrations and traditions from … Continue reading “Cultural Christmas Celebrations”
Contributed by Maxane Keogh ‘It’s that awkward time of year before Christmas when you’re not sure if you should start breaking out the scarves and fairy lights yet; however, it’s also getting very cold and Aldi is already selling Christmas chocolates sooooooo… I offer you a middle ground. A time of feasting before Christmas, to … Continue reading “Yet Another Brussels Sprout Riddled Celebration – Thanksgiving”
Contributed by Jaspinder Mann As many across India celebrate Diwali, Sikhs also light Divas (candles) and set off fireworks for Bandi Chor Divas, day of liberation. The Sikh occasion for celebration is in remembrance of their history and the actions of their sixth Guru (spiritual leader) Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. The origin: Guru Sahib … Continue reading “The Sikh celebration of Bandi Chor Divas! (Diwali time)”
The 5th of November is one of the most notorious dates in British history. On this date a small group of Roman Catholic conspirators attempted to blow up the House of Lords, alongside King James 1 and the Protestant Government. Nowadays the day is remembered and celebrated more for its flashy fireworks displays, although it … Continue reading “Bonfire Night & Coughton Court”
Diwali, also known as Deepavali or Dipavali is a festival of great significance to Indian Culture. The festival is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains each of which have their own reason for celebrating. There is however one common theme: the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is a … Continue reading “Diwali Celebrations – November 7th”
Halloween is famously an evening of tricks or treats, spooky costumes, and carved pumpkins (also neeps in some parts of Scotland), but the event has a rich history and cultural heritage which can be related back to the Gaelic festival of Samhain; an event marking the end of the harvest, and the beginning of winter. … Continue reading “Halloween: Samhain or Summer’s End”
The Chongyang Festival—also known as Double Ninth Festival—takes place on the ninth day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar, and this year falls on Oct. 17. It’s a time when families gather to hike up hills and admire chrysanthemums— activities that evolved from legends about dodging misfortune that date back 2,000 years, to … Continue reading “Do enjoy (and eat and drink) the chrysanthemums – The Chongyang Festival”
