Celebrating Cultures across the University of Birmingham
Contributed by Kajol Desai You’ve probably heard of a “colour festival” or been on a “colour run”, maybe even celebrated something similar in a club or at a rave, but have you ever wondered where these celebrations of colour originate? When you scrape back the packaged events you may have attended, looking instead for the … Continue reading “Holi: The Festival of Colours”
Contributed by Zefang Zhang (Fancy) This is my third time celebrating the Spring Festival on an island: I am from Beijing, which is a very famous city you may be familiar with in northern China. Of all the times I have celebrated the Spring Festival, this is only my third time doing so on an … Continue reading “Zefang Zhang’s (Fancy’s) “3-2-1” story on celebrating the Spring Festival”
Contributed by Jennifer Arvin Furlong In the U.S. we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy the third Monday of January every year. January 18 marks his birthday, so naturally our news media are filled with images of celebrations and parades from across the country. These images are usually combined with lessons about King’s life … Continue reading “A Lesson from the Mountaintop – MLK Day”
Contributed by Jaspinder Mann As many across India celebrate Diwali, Sikhs also light Divas (candles) and set off fireworks for Bandi Chor Divas, day of liberation. The Sikh occasion for celebration is in remembrance of their history and the actions of their sixth Guru (spiritual leader) Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. The origin: Guru Sahib … Continue reading “The Sikh celebration of Bandi Chor Divas! (Diwali time)”
The 5th of November is one of the most notorious dates in British history. On this date a small group of Roman Catholic conspirators attempted to blow up the House of Lords, alongside King James 1 and the Protestant Government. Nowadays the day is remembered and celebrated more for its flashy fireworks displays, although it … Continue reading “Bonfire Night & Coughton Court”
Throughout October the University commemorated Black History Month. First celebrated in the UK in 1987, the month acts as a period to reflect on and remember important people and events in the history of the African Diaspora. At the University, colleges and departments host their own events throughout the month by inviting guest speakers, screening … Continue reading “Black History Month at the University”
