Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
Guy Fawkes Night, held every year on the November 5, marks the anniversary of the discovery of a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament and kill King James I in London in 1605. Guy Fawkes (also known as Guido Fawkes while fighting for the Spanish) and his band of catholic conspirators were discovered and … Continue reading “Guy Fawkes’ night”
What is Diwali? Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. The festival, which coincides with the Hindu New Year, celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness which is why Diwali is also known as the festival of lights. People worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord … Continue reading “Diwali (2-6 November)”
The Day of the Dead is a traditional holiday celebrated in Mexico and is elsewhere associated with the Catholic celebrations of All Saints’ Day (1 November) and All Souls’ Day (2 November). It is both a remembrance and celebration for the dearly departed. November 1, called Día de Los Inocentes, or Día de Los Angelitos, is the day … Continue reading “El día de los Muertos”
This year Muhammad’s birthday, Mawlid or Eid Milad un Nabi, derived from the Arabic ‘to give birth’, is observed on sundown of 18 October to sundown on 19 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”
On 24 October 1945, 51 countries came together to create the United Nations (UN). Its purpose was to promote peace and cooperation around the world and its purpose today is still to preserve international peace and security. Today the United Nations is an organization made up of 193 countries. In many countries around the world, people … Continue reading “United Nations Day 24 October”
2021 marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the German federal state of Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony) by the British military government. Located in northwestern Germany, it brought together the former Prussian province of Hanover with the states of Braunschweig, Oldenburg and Schaumburg-Lippe in 1946. To mark this anniversary, the German public television broadcaster NDR broadcast Happy Birthday … Continue reading “Happy Birthday Niedersachsen”
International Pronouns Day, 24 October [occurring annually on the third Wednesday in October], seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace. Referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is basic to human dignity. Being referred to by the wrong pronouns particularly affects transgender and gender nonconforming people. Together, we can … Continue reading “International Pronouns Day”
The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year. This year’s theme is ‘Mental Health in an Unequal World’. The green ribbon is in the international symbol of mental health awareness. The past 18 months have brought many challenges for all of us but, in particular, for people with mental … Continue reading “World Mental Health Day”
National Poetry Day is a UK-wide celebration of poetry and this year’s theme is Choice. There is a selection of poems here https://nationalpoetryday.co.uk/celebrate-national-poetry-day/ to get you inspired and engaged, plus an online events listing. One of the many poems featured is ‘Instead’ by Brian Moses Instead of an X-boxplease show me a pathway that stretches to the … Continue reading “National Poetry Day (7 October)”
Navaratri (meaning ‘nine nights’) is a Hindu festival [7-17 October] 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 … Continue reading “Navaratri”
