Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
Wilkie Collins was an English novelist and playwright born in 1824. He was an early pioneer of detective fiction and mystery stories having written over 30 novels, as well as plays and short stories. He is perhaps most well known for two novels, The Woman in White and Moonstone, both of which are considered pioneering … Continue reading “Wilkie Collins – 200th anniversary”
27 December 2023 marks the centenary of the passing of Gustave Eiffel, most noted for creating the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris. Born in Dijon in 1832, he graduated from the Ecole Centrale des Arts et Manufactures in 1855. Trained as an engineer, he founded and developed a company specialising in metal structural work. The … Continue reading “100th anniversary of the death of Gustave Eiffel”
Hanukkah (7-15 December) celebrates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 160s BC. After outlawing the Jewish religion and Jewish practices, King Antiochus IV decreed that Jews must worship Greek gods in the Temple. The word ‘Hanukkah’ means dedication and commemorates the triumph of a band of rebel Jews known as the Maccabees … Continue reading “Hanukkah Sameach!”
The International Day of People with Disabilities is celebrated globally each year on 3 December. The day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and to mobilise support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of people with disabilities. It was first launched in 1992 and now marks over three decades of meaningful change for … Continue reading “International Day of People with Disabilities”
Andrew, also called Saint Andrew the Apostle, (died 60/70, Patras, Achaia [Greece]) was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, the brother of St. Peter and a son of Jonah. He is the patron saint of Scotland and of Russia, as well as many other countries including Greece, Barbados and Romania. Both he and his brother Peter were fishermen by … Continue reading “St Andrew’s Day 30 November”
23 November 2023 marks the 60th anniversary of the first episode of Dr Who. Beginning with William Hartnell as the first-ever Time Lord, fourteen actors have gone on to play this iconic role, exploring the universe in the TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension(s) In Space), combatting foes, helping people in need and generally just saving … Continue reading “Dr Who at 60”
Born in Belfast in November 1898 into the Anglican Church of Ireland, British writer, literary scholar and Anglican lay theologian CS (Clive Staples) Lewis (1898-1963) abandoned his faith at school, but was reconverted to Christianity when on the English faculty at Oxford by the devoutly Catholic J.R.R. Tolkien, author of “The Lord of the Rings.” … Continue reading “60th anniversary of the death of CS Lewis”
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20 that honours the memory of the transgender people whose lives have been lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. It was started in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honour the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who … Continue reading “Transgender Day of Remembrance”
This year’s Disability History Month (16 November-16 December) focusses on the Experience of Disablement amongst children and young people in the past, now and what is needed for the future. UKDHM comes from a Social Model/Human Rights approach, so that all children and young people with long term impairment will not experience the social exclusion … Continue reading “Disability History Month”
Diwali is known as the festival of lights as the festival symbolises the victory of light over darkness. It festival takes place at different times of the year as the Hindu calendar is based on the moon. In 2023, Diwali falls on 12th November. The festival lasts five days and honours the goddess of wealth, … Continue reading “Diwali”
