Category: Annual Celebration

Navaratri (meaning ‘nine nights’) is a Hindu festival celebrated every autumn. It is usually held at harvest time. Lasting for nine days, Navaratri celebrates good triumphing over evil. During the festival, three goddesses are worshipped: Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. The first three nights are dedicated to Durga (the mother goddess representing power), the next three … Continue reading “Navaratri 15-24 October”

Simchat Torah or Simhat Torah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates and marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle. The main celebrations of Simchat Torah take place in the synagogue during evening and morning services. In Orthodox, as well as many conservative congregations, this is the only time of year … Continue reading “Simchat Torah 7-8 October”

The theme for this year’s National Poetry Day is ‘Refuge’. National Poetry Day is the annual mass celebration on the first Thursday of October that encourages everyone to make, experience and share poetry with family and friends. Each year we come together because voices, words and stories help to bridge understanding in our community. The … Continue reading “National Poetry Day 5 October”

The theme for this year’s Black History Month ‘Black Resistance’ explores how African Americans have addressed historic and ongoing disadvantage and oppression, as evidenced by recent events. Started in the US as a week-long celebration in 1926 by Carter G Woodson, a noted African American historian, scholar, educator and publisher, in 1976 it became a … Continue reading “Black History Month 1-31 October”

International Translation Day is an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of language professionals, who play an important role in bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to development and strengthening world peace and security. Transposition of a literary or scientific work, including technical work, from one language into another language, professional … Continue reading “International Translation Day 30 September”

This year Muhammad’s birthday, Mawlid or Eid Milad un Nabi, derived from the Arabic ‘to give birth’, is observed on sundown of 26 September to sundown on 27 September. The date varies each year as it is governed by the lunar calendar. Prophet Muhammad’s birthday is commemorated by Muslims during the month of Rabi’ al-awwal, … Continue reading “Mawlid – Muhammad’s birthday”

Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a day-long fast and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services. The purpose of Yom Kippur is to effect individual and … Continue reading “Yom Kippur 24-25 September”

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 incarnated … Continue reading “Krishna Janmashtami 6-7 September”

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 protect … Continue reading “Raksha Bandhan 30 August”

On 13th August 1992 the Left-Handers’ Club launched International Left-Handers’ Day, an annual event when left-handers everywhere can celebrate their sinistrality and increase public awareness of the advantages and disadvantages of being left-handed. This event is now celebrated worldwide, and in the U.K. alone there have been more than 20 regional events to mark the … Continue reading “International Left-Handers’ Day 13 August”