Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
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”
Black Country Day 14 July – this day was chosen as it is considered to be the date of the inception of the Newcomen engine, the first commercially successful engine. Invented by Thomas Newcomen in 1712, it was first installed at Coneygree Coal Works in Tipton and was used to pump water out of mines. A replica … Continue reading “Black Country Day 14 July”
Bastille Day celebrates the storming of the Bastille – a military fortress and prison – on July 14, 1789, in a violent uprising that was a turning point in the French Revolution. Holding gunpowder and other supplies valuable to revolutionaries, the Bastille also symbolized the callous tyranny of the French monarchy, especially King Louis XVI … Continue reading “Bastille Day – le quatorze juillet”
World Chocolate day is actually a relatively new event, first celebrated back in 2009. The date July 7th was specifically chosen because it was on this day in the year 1550 that chocolate arrived in Europe. Chocolate comes from the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree, an exotic tree that’s been cultivated for over three … Continue reading “World Chocolate Day 7 July”
Asalha Puja is a Theravada Buddhist festival, one of the most important festivals in Theravada Buddhism. The celebration takes place on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month, which is typically in July. It celebrates the Buddha’s first sermon – the “Sermon in the Deer Park” at Sarnath in India. In this sermon, … Continue reading “Asalha Puja”
Windrush Day celebrates the sea voyage of the MV Empire Windrush and the rich culture and heritage the passengers brought with them from the Caribbean. HMT Empire Windrush arrived in Britain on 22 June 1948. On board there were more than 800 passengers from the Caribbean. However, on arrival in the UK people were often … Continue reading “Windrush Day 22 June”
Wesak, or Vesak, is the most important celebration in Buddhism. It commemorates Buddha’s birthday, this year on the 5th of May. It is the Day of the Full Moon, as the month of May usually has only one full moon. However, if there are two full moons in May, some countries (including Sri Lanka, Cambodia … Continue reading “Wesak”
