Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
Passover 2020 begins at sundown on Wednesday April 8, and ends Thursday evening April 16. The first Passover seder (festive meal) is on the evening of April 8, and the second Passover seder takes place on the evening of April 9. Passover is a festival of freedom that commemorates the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and their … Continue reading “Passover (Pesach) 8-16 April”
Ravi Shankar KBE (born Robindro Shaunkor Chowdhury), 7 April 1920 – 11 December 2012), whose name is often preceded by the title Pandit (Master) and ‘Sitar maestro’, was an Indian musician and a composer of Hindustani classical music. He was the best-known proponent of the sitar in the second half of the 20th century and influenced many … Continue reading “Centenary of the birth of Ravi Shankar”
Quincentenary of the death of Raphael (1483-1520) Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino (known as Raphael) was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. His work is admired for its clarity of form, ease of composition and visual achievement of the Neoplatonic ideal of human grandeur. Despite his early death at 37, he left a … Continue reading “Quincentenary of the death of Raphael”
Nowruz is the Iranian New Year, also known as the Persian New Year, which is celebrated worldwide by various ethno-linguistic groups. Nowruz has Iranian and Zoroastrian origins, however, it has been celebrated by diverse communities for over 3,000 years It remains a holy day for Zoroastrians, Bahais and some Muslim communities. Nowruz is the day of the vernal equinox … Continue reading “20 March Nowruz – Iranian New Year”
In South Africa, Human Rights Day is celebrated on 21 March in remembrance of the Sharpeville massacre which took place on 21 March 1960. This massacre occurred as a result of protests against the Apartheid regime in South Africa. The annual commemoration is a reminder about the sacrifices that accompanied the struggle for the attainment of democracy in … Continue reading “21 March South Africa – Human Rights’ Day”
Saint Patrick’s Day, (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig, “the Day of the Festival of Patrick”), is a cultural and religious celebration for the foremost patron saint of Ireland (c. AD 385–461). Tradition says that he spent many years evangelising in the northern half of Ireland and converted “thousands”. Patrick’s efforts against the druids were eventually … Continue reading “St Patrick’s Day 17 March”
International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on 8 March every year and is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights. The earliest Women’s Day observance in 1909 was called ‘National Women’s Day’ and was held in New York City, organised by the Socialist PArty of America at the suggestion of activist Theresa Malkiel. There … Continue reading “International Women’s Day 8 March”
Because books aren’t just for bedtime. World Book Day 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 ‘Share a million stories‘. It is the perfect opportunity for parents, teachers … Continue reading “March 5 – World Book Day”
(The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City) Congratulations to Luke Sainsbury (2nd year UG History of Art) who is the winner of this term’s LCAHM competition – your favourite painting in up to fifty words – with Rush Hour by George Condo (2010). Luke wins a voucher for Afternoon tea for Two at the … Continue reading “Winner of LCAHM Afternoon Tea competition”
Saint David’s Day (Welsh: Dewi Sant) is the feast day of Saint David, the patron saint of Wales and falls on 1 March, the date of Saint David’s death in 589 AD. The feast has been regularly celebrated since the canonisation of David in the 12th century by Pope Callixtus II. Saint David was a Celtic monk … Continue reading “1 March – St David’s Day, Patron Saint of Wales”
