Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
27 April is an annual celebration of the day in 1994 when the first democratic non-racial election was held in South Africa. Of South Africa’s 22.7 million eligible voters, 19.7 million voted in the 1994 national election. Today, South Africa celebrates Freedom Day to mark the liberation of its country and its people from a long period of colonialism and White … Continue reading “27 April Freedom Day – South Africa”
Tales from The Decameron (1916) John William Waterhouse Tales from Giovanni Boccaccio’s ‘The Decameron’ are being currently being recounted [in synopsis form, with link to John Payne et al’s translation] on LCAHM’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LCAHM/ In Florence in 1348 the whole city hunkered down and fought its way day by day through the worst pandemic Europe … Continue reading “Tales from The Decameron”
Contributed by Jennifer Arvin Furlong In the U.S. we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy the third Monday of January every year. January 18 marks his birthday, so naturally our news media are filled with images of celebrations and parades from across the country. These images are usually combined with lessons about King’s life … Continue reading “A Lesson from the Mountaintop – MLK Day”
Contributed by Jaspinder Mann As many across India celebrate Diwali, Sikhs also light Divas (candles) and set off fireworks for Bandi Chor Divas, day of liberation. The Sikh occasion for celebration is in remembrance of their history and the actions of their sixth Guru (spiritual leader) Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. The origin: Guru Sahib … Continue reading “The Sikh celebration of Bandi Chor Divas! (Diwali time)”
The 5th of November is one of the most notorious dates in British history. On this date a small group of Roman Catholic conspirators attempted to blow up the House of Lords, alongside King James 1 and the Protestant Government. Nowadays the day is remembered and celebrated more for its flashy fireworks displays, although it … Continue reading “Bonfire Night & Coughton Court”
Halloween is famously an evening of tricks or treats, spooky costumes, and carved pumpkins (also neeps in some parts of Scotland), but the event has a rich history and cultural heritage which can be related back to the Gaelic festival of Samhain; an event marking the end of the harvest, and the beginning of winter. … Continue reading “Halloween: Samhain or Summer’s End”
