Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
The naming of the celebration as Easter appears to derive from the name of the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility, Eostre or Eostrae. The only reference to this goddess comes from the writings of the Venerable Bede, a British monk who lived in the late seventh and early eighth century. Easter, also called Pascha … Continue reading “Holy Week and Easter Sunday”
29 March 2021 sees the Royal Albert Hall turn 150 years old, and to celebrate they are planning a whole series of events and activities to celebrate their past, present and future. The Hall was opened by Queen Victoria in 1871, and named in memory of her husband, Prince Albert, whose founding vision was for … Continue reading “Royal Albert Hall 150th anniversary”
Palm Sunday, also called Passion Sunday, in the Christian tradition marks the beginning of Holy Week and is the Sunday before Easter, commemorating Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Holy Week is a solemn week focusing on the final days of Jesus’ life, culminating in Easter Sunday, the most important holiday in Christianity. The biblical account of Palm … Continue reading “Palm Sunday”
Pesach (Passover) 2021, which begins at sundown on 27 March, ending on the evening of 4 April, is a festival of freedom commemorating the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and their transition from slavery to freedom. It is one of the most important Jewish holidays. Passover, called Pesach, gets its name from when the Israelites were … Continue reading “Happy Pesach (Passover)”
A minute’s silence at noon and a national doorstep vigil at 20.00 will form part of a day of reflection to mark the anniversary of the UK’s first Covid lockdown and to remember those who have died in the pandemic. It is hoped people will help create a nationwide “beacon of remembrance” on their doorsteps … Continue reading “National Day of Reflection 23 March”
Holi (20-29 March), also known as the “festival of spring”, the “festival of colours”, and the “festival of love” is a popular ancient Hindu festival signifying the triumph of good over evil. Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the blossoming of love, and for many it’s a festive day to meet others, … Continue reading “Holi (20-29 March)”
Nowruz (starts 20 March) is the national New Year festivity celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan, and the Kurdish regions of Iraq, Turkey and Syria, and throughout Central Asia. Described by 11th-century Persian astronomer and poet Omar Khayyam as “the renewal of the world”, Nowruz dates back thousands of years. It is not known exactly how far … Continue reading “Nowruz – Iranian New Year”
St. Patrick’s Day (17 March) observes of the death of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, special foods, music, dancing and drinking. He was born to wealthy parents near the end of the fourth century and is believed to have died on … Continue reading “St Patricks’ Day”
Maha Shivaratri (11 March) is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honour of the god Shiva. The festival 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). It is a major festival in Hinduism. This festival is solemn … Continue reading “Maha Shivaratri”
Top to bottom: Mary Seacole, Artemisia Gentilischi, Theodora, Elizabeth Fry Mary Seacole (1805-1881) In her late forties, Mary travelled from her home in Jamaica to Britain to offer her services as a nurse during the Crimean War (1853-56). Despite being turned down, Seacole refused to give up: a woman of mixed-race with a Jamaican mother … Continue reading “International Women’s Day 8 March – a dozen doyennes”
