Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
8 November marks 100 year since Rupert Bear made his debut in the ‘Daily Express’ newspaper. Rupert is a children’s comic strip character created by British artist Mary Tourtel. In 1935 the stories were taken over by Alfred Bestall who worked on the Rupert stories and artwork into his 90s. A Rupert Annual has been … Continue reading “Rupert Bear centenary”
The Rubik’s cube was invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Ernő Rubik. He initially created a cuboid model with moving blocks to test how structures with integrated parts can move independently without falling apart. He only realised that his contraption could be used as a puzzle when he attempted to reassemble … Continue reading “The Rubik’s cube is 40!”
El día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday celebrated in Mexico and elsewhere associated to 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. The day involves family and friends gathering to pray for and remember friends … Continue reading “El día de Muertos”
In 1931 Lázló Biró, a Hungarian-Argentinian newspaper editor frustrated by the amount of time wasted filling up fountain pens and cleaning up smudged pages, noticed that the ink used in newspaper printing dried quickly, leaving the paper dry and smudge-free. He tried using the same ink in a fountain pen but found that it would … Continue reading “75th anniversary of the first commercially successful ballpoint pen going on sale in the USA”
Prophet Muhammad’s birthday from the evening of 28 to the evening of 29 October Mawlid or Mawlid al-Nabi al-Sharif is the observance of the birthday of Islamic prophet Muhammad commemorated in the third month of the Islamic calendar and is considered to be an auspicious day amongst Muslims. The history of this celebration goes back to the early … Continue reading “Mawlid – Prophet Muhammad’s birthday 28-29 October”
2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and its founding Charter. This anniversary comes in a time of great disruption for the world, compounded by an unprecedented global health crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with severe economic and social impacts. But it is also a reminder that times of struggle can become … Continue reading “24 October United Nations Day”
October is Black History Month and the University is celebrating the culture and histories of black communities with a comprehensive programme of events. The theme for this year is ‘The Aftermath’. For details of upcoming events, including a quiz, virtual yoga and meditation session and a bookclub, please visit https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/black-history-month/index.aspx Also take a look at … Continue reading “Black History Month”
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”
The Birth of Baháʼu’lláh is one of nine holy days in the Bahá’i calendar that is celebrated by Bahá’is and during which work is suspended. The holy day celebrates the birth of Bahá’u’lláh the founder of the Baháʼí Faith. Bahá’u’lláh was born on 12 November 1817 in Tehran, Iran and this holy day was instituted … Continue reading “Birth of Bahá’u’lláh 18-19 October”
Navratri (meaning ‘nine nights’) is a Hindu festival celebrated every autumn. It is usually held at the end of September or the beginning of October, at harvest time. Navratri lasts for nine days and celebrates good triumphing over evil. During the festival, three goddesses are worshipped: Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. The first three nights are … Continue reading “Navratri 17-25 October”
