Category: Annual Celebration

Post by Caitlin, Student Experience Ambassador International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th. The day aims to put gender equality at the forefront, as well as celebrating the successes of women. The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 is to inspire inclusion. This theme emphasises diversity, as well as creating inclusive spaces for all … Continue reading “International Women’s Day 8 March”

Hinamatsuri is an annual festival that takes place on March 3rd and is associated with the start of spring. It is known as ‘Girls Day’ in English. The festival prays for the growth and prosperity of young girls. One way it is celebrated is with the display of traditional Japanese dolls called hinaningyo at home. … Continue reading “Hinamatsuri 3 March”

St David’s Day celebrates the patron saint of Wales on the 1st March each year. Welsh people celebrate by wearing the national emblem of Wales, either a daffodil or a leek. St David’s date of birth is unknown but he lived around fifteen centuries ago. He became a monk at a young age and founded … Continue reading “St David’s Day 1 March”

Vasant Panchami, also called Saraswati Puja in honour of the Hindu goddess Saraswati, is a festival that marks the preparation for the arrival of spring. It is a Hindu and Sikh festival that marks preparations for the beginning of the spring season. Vasant Panchami also marks the start of preparation for Holika and Holi, which take place … Continue reading “Vasant Panchami/Saraswati Puja 14 February”

As the Year of the Rabbit comes to an end, the Year of the Dragon, more specifically the Wood Dragon, begins (10 February 2024-28 January 2025). The 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig and each has their own distinctive qualities and … Continue reading “Lunar New Year -Year of the Wood Dragon”

La Chandeleur, celebrated on February 2nd, holds a special place in French culture. While it’s often associated with crêpes, its origins trace back to some ancient pagan rituals and Christian traditions. Historically, it marked the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, symbolising a transition from the winter season to spring. Nowadays, La … Continue reading “La Chandeleur: Celebrating French Tradition”

Martin Luther King Jr Day (15 January) celebrates the life of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr who fought for racial equality in America. His achievements include founding the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957 and leading the 1963 March on Washington. At this march he delivered the famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. … Continue reading “Martin Luther King Jr Day”

Hanukkah (7-15 December) celebrates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 160s BC. After outlawing the Jewish religion and Jewish practices, King Antiochus IV decreed that Jews must worship Greek gods in the Temple. The word ‘Hanukkah’ means dedication and commemorates the triumph of a band of rebel Jews known as the Maccabees … Continue reading “Hanukkah Sameach!”

Andrew, also called Saint Andrew the Apostle, (died 60/70, Patras, Achaia [Greece]) was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, the brother of St. Peter and a son of Jonah. He is the patron saint of Scotland and of Russia, as well as many other countries including Greece, Barbados and Romania. Both he and his brother Peter were fishermen by … Continue reading “St Andrew’s Day 30 November”

Diwali is known as the festival of lights as the festival symbolises the victory of light over darkness. It festival takes place at different times of the year as the Hindu calendar is based on the moon. In 2023, Diwali falls on 12th November. The festival lasts five days and honours the goddess of wealth, … Continue reading “Diwali”