Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
Aelbert Jacobsz Cuyp (20 October 1620–15 November 1691) was one of the leading Dutch Golden Age painters, producing mainly landscapes. He was the most famous of a family of painters – his grandfather and uncle worked in stained glass and his father was a portraitist. He is especially known for his large views of Dutch … Continue reading “400th anniversary of the birth of Aelbert Cuyp, Dutch landscape painter”
Sukkot commemorates the years that the Jews spent in the desert on their way to the Promised Land, and celebrates the way in which God protected them under difficult desert conditions. Sukkot is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, or the Feast of Booths. Sukkot is celebrated by, first of all, building a sukkah – a temporary little hut … Continue reading “Sukkot 2-9 October”
Thomas Chatterton (20 November 1752 – 24 August 1770) was an English poet whose precocious talents ended in suicide at age 17. He was an influence on Romantic poets of the period including Shelley, Keats and Wordsworth. Although fatherless and raised in poverty, he was an exceptionally studious child, publishing mature work by the age of 11. … Continue reading “Thomas Chatterton anniversary”
Jasmin Kaur Athwal (Joint Honours Ancient History & Archaeology and History) undergraduate offers us five ways to get involved in the inaugural South Asia Heritage Month (SAHM) from the comfort of our own homes and tells us in their blog about forthcoming events, recommended reading and how to volunteer and get directly involved with SAHM. … Continue reading “5 ways to get involved in South Asia Heritage Month (18 July-17 August) – blog by Jasmin Athwal”
Black Country Day takes place on 14 July each year. Originally in March, the day was later moved to 14 July – the anniversary of the invention of the Newcomen steam engine. Black Country Day celebrates the area’s role in the Industrial Revolution. The Black Country dialect is well known by many as the oldest … Continue reading “Black Country Day”
Paul Klee (18 December 1879-29 June 1940) First of all, the art of living; then as my ideal profession, poetry and philosophy, and as my real profession, plastic arts; in the last resort, for lack of income, illustrations. — Paul Klee https://www.davidzwirner.com/exhibitions/paul-klee-late-klee In his early years, following his parents’ wishes, Klee focused on becoming a musician; … Continue reading “Paul Klee anniversary”
Bridget Blankley, Art History MA student tells us what life in lockdown is like for a writer What do you call a writer who isn’t writing? In my case it’s a research student. After staring at a blank page for too many months I told my publisher that I was taking a break and signed … Continue reading “What do you call a writer who isn’t writing?”
Charles John Huffam Dickens (7 February 1812–9 June 1870) was an English writer and social critic. He created some of the world’s best-known fictional characters and is regarded by many as the greatest novelist of the Victorian era. Dickens left school to work in a factory when his father was incarcerated in a debtors’ prison. … Continue reading “Charles Dickens anniversary”
During these strange and challenging times, observing the Holy Month of Ramadan may look very different for our Muslim friends and colleagues. A member of the Law School Academic Faculty here at Birmingham shares her thoughts and feelings on how she is coping under the Coronavirus lockdown and provides some … Continue reading “Ramadan Reflections by Dr Rehana Parveen”
As many of our Muslim friends begin their Holy Month of fasting this week , a member of the Law School Academic Faculty has taken the time to pen her thoughts on the month ahead and how this will look in light of the current Coronavirus pandemic. Read on for … Continue reading “Ramadan Reflections by Dr Rehana Parveen”
