Category: Annual Celebration

What is widely known as Pancake Day or Shrove Tuesday in the UK, is in fact a week-long traditional Slavic celebration that takes places prior to the beginning of Lent, the Christian period of fasting and spiritual reflection leading up to Easter. Maslenitsa is often a time to indulge in rich foods before Lent in … Continue reading “Maslenitsa (20-26 February)”

Maha Shivaratri, also referred to as the “Great Night of Shiva”, is one of the biggest annual celebrations in the Hindu calendar and is held to honour Lord Shiva, who is one of the main deities in the religion. The reason behind celebrating Lord Shiva can vary slightly depending on the region that you are … Continue reading “Maha Shivaratri (February 18)”

In France and Belgium, 2 February is a day often dedicated to the making and eating of crêpes. Religiously, this day is known in the Christian faith as La Chandeleur or Candlemass, marking the day that Jesus was presented at the temple in Jerusalem and takes its name from the Christian tradition of bringing candles … Continue reading “La Chandeleur 2 February”

LGBTQ+ History Month is the annual month-long celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history and the history of gay rights and related civil rights movements. In the UK this celebration takes place every February and aims to raise awareness of, and combat prejudice against, those belonging to the LGBTQ+ community and its history. LGBTQ+ … Continue reading “LGBTQ+ History Month”

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 26 January”

Rey, a Modern Languages with English student, has kindly written this post about the recent Lunar New Year celebrations he has shared with fellow Chinese international students. Personally, I found it really interesting – the background, the food, the celebrations. Thank you for sharing with us, Rey! (Ed) Sunday 22 January 2023 was this year’s … Continue reading “Chinese International Students celebrate the Lunar New Year”

The Rabbit (兔) is the fourth in the twelve-year cycle of animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Rabbit is associated with the Earthly Branch symbol 卯. As the Year of the Tiger comes to an end on 21 January and the Year of the Rabbit … Continue reading “Lunar New Year – Year of the Rabbit 22/1-5/2”

Hanukkah (18-26 December) celebrates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century 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 … Continue reading “Hanukkah Sameach!”

Andrew, also called Saint Andrew the Apostle, (died 60/70 ce, Patras, Achaia [Greece]) was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus and the brother of St. Peter. He is the patron saint of Scotland and of Russia, as well as other countries including Greece, Barbados and Romania. The celebration of Saint Andrew as a national festival is thought to originate … Continue reading “St Andrew’s Day (30 Nov)”

The Day of the Dead is a traditional holiday celebrated in Mexico and is elsewhere associated with the Catholic celebrations of All Saints’ Day (1 November) and All Souls’ Day (2 November). It is both a remembrance and celebration for the dearly departed. November 1, called Día de Los Inocentes, or Día de Los Angelitos, is the day … Continue reading “El Día de los Muertos”