Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
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 17-18 October 2022”
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 –1958) was an English composer, born in Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, whose works include nine symphonies, five operas, music for film, ballet and stage, several song cycles, church music and works for chorus and orchestra, written over sixty years. Strongly influenced by Tudor music and English folk song, his output marked a decisive … Continue reading “150th anniversary of the birth of Ralph Vaughan Williams”
The theme of 2022’s World Mental Health Day, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority‘. The last couple of years have brought many challenges for all of us but, in particular, for people with mental health conditions, many of whom have been experiencing … Continue reading “World Mental Health Day 10 October 2022”
This year Muhammad’s birthday, Mawlid or Eid Milad un Nabi, derived from the Arabic ‘to give birth’, is observed on sundown of 7 October to sundown on 8 October. The date varies each year as it is governed by the lunar calendar. Prophet Muhammad’s birthday is commemorated by Muslims during the month of Rabi’ al-awwal, … Continue reading “Mawlid 7-8 October 2022”
National Poetry Day is a UK-wide celebration of poetry and this year’s theme is The Environment. Libraries and bookshops across the country are celebrating National Poetry Day. Pop in to see what is going on. National Poetry Day was founded in 1994 by the charity Forward Arts Foundation, whose mission is to celebrate excellence in poetry and … Continue reading “National Poetry Day 6 October 2022”
October is Menopause Awareness Month, with 18 October designated as ‘World Menopause Day’ and this year’s theme being ‘Cognition and Mood’. The menopause is a natural stage of life that affects all women. Medically speaking, it is where a woman ceases to ovulate and their periods eventually stop, caused by a change in hormone levels. … Continue reading “Menopause Awareness Month (October) and World Menopause Day (18 October)”
The theme for this year’s Black History Month is ‘Time for Change: Action Not Words’, which means working to tackle racism, reclaim Black history and ensure Black people, their pasts and their stories are included and represented all year round. Started in the US as a week-long celebration in 1926 by Carter G Woodson, a … Continue reading “Black History Month”
International Translation Day is an opportunity to pay tribute to the work of language professionals, who play an important role in bringing nations together, facilitating dialogue, understanding and cooperation, contributing to development and strengthening world peace and security. Transposition of a literary or scientific work, including technical work, from one language into another language, professional … Continue reading “International Translation Day (30 September)”
Navratri (meaning ‘nine nights’) is a Hindu festival celebrated every autumn. It is usually held at harvest time. Lasting for nine days, Navaratri celebrates good triumphing over evil. During the festival, three goddesses are worshipped: Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. The first three nights are dedicated to Durga (the mother goddess representing power), the next three … Continue reading “Navratri (26/9-5/10)”
21 August marks the centenary of the birth of Aubrey Beardsley whose highly distinctive work in black and white made him one of the best known Art Nouveau artists. Aubrey Beardsley shocked and delighted late-Victorian London with his sinuous black and white drawings inspired by Japanese woodcuts. He explored the erotic and the elegant, the … Continue reading “150th anniversary of the birth of Aubrey Beardsley”
