Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
Guru Nanak, also referred to as Baba Nanak, was the founder of Sikhism and is the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. These Gurus were responsible for shaping the beliefs of the Sikhs. Guru Naka’s birthday, which is one of the most important festivals in the Sikh calendar, is commemorated on the Full Moon Day (Pooranmashi … Continue reading “Guru Nanak’s birthday 30 November”
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honours the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. Transgender Day of Remembrance was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honour the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender … Continue reading “Transgender Day of Remembrance”
Remembrance Day The British grave of the Unknown Warrior (often known as ‘The Tomb of The Unknown Warrior’) holds an unidentified British soldier killed on a European battlefield during the First World War. He was buried in Westminster Abbey on 11 November 1920, simultaneously with a similar interment of a French unknown soldier at the … Continue reading “At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month”
Intersex Day of Remembrance (8 November), also known as Intersex Solidarity Day, is an internationally observed civil awareness day designed to highlight issues faced by intersex people. It marks the birthday of Herculine Barbin, a French intersex person whose memoirs were later published by Michel Foucault in Herculine Barbin: Being the Recently Discovered Memoirs of … Continue reading “Intersex Day of Remembrance”
8 November marks 100 year since Rupert Bear made his debut in the ‘Daily Express’ newspaper. Rupert is a children’s comic strip character created by British artist Mary Tourtel. In 1935 the stories were taken over by Alfred Bestall who worked on the Rupert stories and artwork into his 90s. A Rupert Annual has been … Continue reading “Rupert Bear centenary”
Prophet Muhammad’s birthday from the evening of 28 to the evening of 29 October Mawlid or Mawlid al-Nabi al-Sharif is the observance of the birthday of Islamic prophet Muhammad commemorated in the third month of the Islamic calendar and is considered to be an auspicious day amongst Muslims. The history of this celebration goes back to the early … Continue reading “Mawlid – Prophet Muhammad’s birthday 28-29 October”
The Birth of Baháʼu’lláh is one of nine holy days in the Bahá’i calendar that is celebrated by Bahá’is and during which work is suspended. The holy day celebrates the birth of Bahá’u’lláh the founder of the Baháʼí Faith. Bahá’u’lláh was born on 12 November 1817 in Tehran, Iran and this holy day was instituted … Continue reading “Birth of Bahá’u’lláh 18-19 October”
Navratri (meaning ‘nine nights’) is a Hindu festival celebrated every autumn. It is usually held at the end of September or the beginning of October, at harvest time. Navratri lasts for nine days and celebrates good triumphing over evil. During the festival, three goddesses are worshipped: Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. The first three nights are … Continue reading “Navratri 17-25 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 10-11 October”
The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year. This year’s theme is ‘Mental Health for All’. ‘Tea and talk’ https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/get-involved/tea-and-talk is a great way to come together, especially during these difficult times. Have a virtual cuppa with friends, family and colleagues and raise awareness for the Mental … Continue reading “World Mental Health Day 10 October”
