Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is that it is the International Day to End Violence against Women. We must #ENDviolence! It offers an opportunity to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history … Continue reading “International Women’s Day 8 March”
Books aren’t just for bedtime 3 March 2022 marks the 25th anniversary of World Book Day which was designated by UNESCO as a worldwide celebration of books and reading and is marked in over 100 countries around the globe on the first Thursday in March.This year’s theme is ‘You are a Reader’. It is the … Continue reading “World Book Day”
Hinamatsuri, also called Doll’s Day or Girls’ Day, is a special day in Japan. It is celebrated on 3 March of each year, with platforms covered with a red carpet which are used to display a set of ornamental dolls (雛人形, hina-ningyō) representing the Emperor and Empress, attendants, and musicians in traditional court dress of the Heian. Hinamatsuri is one of the five seasonal … Continue reading “Hinamatsuri”
Maha Shivaratri (1 March) is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the god Shiva. It celebrates the grand marriage of the lord of destruction, Shiva – with the goddess of fertility, love, and beauty, Parvati, who is also known as Shakti (power). A major festival in Hinduism, this festival is solemn and marks a remembrance of … Continue reading “Maha Shivaratri”
The National Day of Wales is St. David’s Day and is observed on 1 March, the traditional date of his death in 589 AD. Saint David (known as Dewi Sant in the Welsh language) was a Celtic monk born towards the end of the fifth century and was Archbishop of Wales. He spread the word … Continue reading “Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus! (Happy St. David’s Day)”
Maslenitsa is an Eastern Slavic religious and folk holiday, which has retained a number of elements of Slavic mythology in its ritual, celebrated during the last week before Great Lent. It celebrates the end of winter chills and the start of spring, of warmth, of hope, of growth. It is mostly celebrated by Eastern Slavs, … Continue reading “Maslenitsa 28 February-6 March”
Also known as Shri Panchami/Saraswati Panchami, this is a Hindu festival dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati. The festival marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring – Vasant Panchami means the fifth day (‘Panchami’) of Spring (‘Vasant’). It takes place 40 days before Holi and marks the start of preparations for that festival. On this day … Continue reading “Saraswati Puja/Vasant Panchami 5 February”
Time to Talk Day is about creating supportive communities by having conversations with family, friends, or colleagues about mental health. We all have mental health. By talking about it, we can support ourselves and others. One in four of us will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Don’t forget the wealth of … Continue reading “Time to Talk Day 3 February”
In France and Belgium, crêpes are traditionally served on La Chandeleur (Candlemas). This day was originally Virgin Mary’s Blessing Day but became known in France as “Le Jour des Crêpes” (“The Day of the Crêpes”), referring to the tradition of offering crêpes. The tradition dates back to 472, when Pope Gelasius I offered crêpes to French … Continue reading “La Chandeleur 2 February”
1-28 February LGBT+ History Month is annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. The overall aim of LGBT+ History Month is to promote equality and diversity for the benefit of the public by Increasing the visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual … Continue reading “LGBT+ History Month”
