User:Emma mallia/Celebrations in January

January

 * January 1 - Second International Decade for World's Indigenous People - celebrated from 2005-2015 around the World, the General Assembly have adopted five main objectives in relation to this commemeration; these include: prmoting non-discrimination and inclusion of Indigenous people, promoting full and effective participation of Indigenous people, redefining development policies that depart from a vision of equity and that are culturally appropriate, adopting targeted policies, programmes, projects, and budgets for the development of Indigenous peoples, and finally developing stron monitoring mechanisms, and enhancing accountability at the international, regional, and national region.
 * January 1 - International Year of the Rapprochment of Cultures - This celebration aims to demonstarte the benefits of cultural diversity, by acknowledging the importance of the constant tranfers and exchanges between cultuers and the ties forged between them since the dawn of humanity.
 * January 1 - Gantan sai - Shinto New Year celebration, is an ancient Japanese religion and involves the worship of the Shinto Gods-the pure spirits of nature.
 * January 5 - Karen, Thai New Year - Will be held at the St Andrew's Uniting Church Hall, Myers St, Bendigo. This provides us with an opportunity to witness the wealth of the Karen culture.
 * January 23 - Globe to Globe World Music Festival - Is an annual celebration of our multi-cultural community and its vibrant spirit.
 * January 27 - Pako Festa - is the largest free celebration of cultural diversity in Australia, Pako Festa celebrates the enriching expereince of multiculturalism.
 * January 27 - International Holocaust Remembrance Day - The Holocaust and the United Nations outreach programme seeks to remind the world of the lessons to be learnt (from the Holocaust) in order to help prevent future acts of genocide.

February

 * February 3 - Setsubun Sai - Setsubun-sai is an ancient Shinto celebration based on Japans old Lunar calendar, which was historically considered the start of the New Year.
 * February 3 - Chinese New Year - The Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the year and ends on the full moon 15days later, it is also based on a combination of Lunar and Solar movements.
 * February 13 - Jewish Christian Muslim Association of Australia, Women's Conference - This celebration will be held at: The Edmund Rice Centre, 7 Amberley Way, Lower Plenty. JCMA, offers an exciting and stimulating opportunity for women; to share experiences and perspectives in the conversation of faith and hope towards the future of humanity.
 * February 14 - Lunar New Year - Will be celebrated on: Little Bourke Street, Melbourne. The Lunar New Year is celebrated across the globe, the new year brings with it promises of change, reflection and new beginnings.
 * February 21 - International Mother Language Day - Is observed to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

March

 * March 19 - Magha Puja - This celebration is held on a full moon day of the third month. It is considered an important Buddhist holy day, where by Buddhist's can perform merit-makings during the day.
 * March 20 - Cultural Diversity Week - This is Victoria’s largest event in the promotion of cultural, linguistic, religious diversity and community harmony.
 * March 20 - Thai Culture & Food Festival - Will be celebrated at: Federation Square, Corner of Flinders street and Swanston Steet, Melbourne. This festival showcases the rich and historical culture of Thailand.
 * March 21 - Harmony Day - Harmony Day is celebrated around Australia on 21 March each year. It's a day where all Australian's celebrate our cultural diversity. The day is also the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
 * March 21 - Nowruz - Nowruz is celebrated and observed by Iranian people and the related cultural continent; and has spread in many other parts of the world.
 * March 21 - Bahá'í Naw-Rúz - Is the celebration of the traditional Iranian new year holiday and is celebrated throughout the countries of the Middle East and Central Asia such as in Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
 * March 21 - International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - Racial and ethnic discrimination occur on a daily basis, hindering progress for millions of people around the world. This day has been designated to raise public awareness and international observance.
 * March 25 - International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade - In remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic slave trade. This international day is a celebration of the victory over adversity, and to encourage people to learn from the past and to speak out against injustice.
 * March 27 - Viva Victoria Festival - Will be located at: Federation Square, Melbourne. This festival celebrates the Cultural Diversity of our State.
 * March 27 - Living Together Cultural Day - This celebration is held at: Caufield Park, Caufield North, Melbourne; and celebrates the Chinese, Greek, Indian, Italian and Russian cultural groups.

April

 * April 4 - Bendigo Easter Festival - Will be celebrated on: Bridge Street, Bendigo, Melbourne. This is also referred to as the 'Awakening of the Dragon'. This donation dance began as a way for the Bendigo Chinese community to raise money for the local hospitals and benevolent societies.
 * April 7 - World Health Day - World Health Day 2010 focuses on urbanization and health; it is a worldwide campaign to safeguard these medicines for future generations.
 * April 15 - International Creativity & Innovation Week - This is a celebration of our ability to get new ideas, use imagination and make new decisions to make the world a better place and to make your place in the world better too.
 * April 17 - Magha Puja - is an important religious festival celebrated by Buddhists in Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos on the full moon day of the third lunar month. Magha Puja is recognized as a time where the Buddhist is to make merits to perform candle processions to maintain religious commandment to practice Dahmah, and to worship the Lord Buhddha.
 * April 19 - Passover - The celebration of Passover is 8 days long; it is an observance of the freedom and exodus of the Israelites from Egypt 3000 years ago.
 * April 22 - Good Friday - Is the Friday within the Holy Week, and is traditionally a time of fasting and penance, commemorating the anniversary of Christ’s crucifixion and death.
 * April 24 - Global Action week on Education - for 2011 we campaign to ensure that all females maintain a quality education.

May

 * May 1 - Beltane / Samhain - (Wicca Northern/Southern Hemisphere ) - This celebration is part of the Celtic traditions, that is a celebration of the transition from one season and another, and a time of release and a celebration of life and fertility.
 * May 17 - Uposatha - Also known as Buddha Day, this marks the three most significant dates in the life of the Lord Buddha commemorating the day on which he was born, achieved enlightenment and passed into Nirvana.
 * May 21 - World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development - This day provides us with an opportunity to grasp a better understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to “live together” better.
 * May 22 - International Day for Biological Diversity - Commemerates the need to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues.
 * May 23 - Bahá'í - A declaration of the Bab, The Bab is the one who announced the coming of "The One Whom God Will Make Manifest," that is, Baha'u'llah. Baha'is sees this as the beginning of the Baha'i Faith-even though the Bab was the founder of the Babi Faith.
 * May 25 - Week of Solidarity with the peoples of Non-self-Governing Territories - This week was proclaimed in 1972, as the week of Solidarity with the Colonial peoples of Southern Africa, Guinea and Cape Verde fighting for freedom, independence, and equal rights to begin on 25th May-Africa Liberation Day.
 * May 29 - Birth of Bahá'u'lláh - that is the anniversary of the ascension into heaven of the founder of Baha'i.

June

 * June 10 - National Celtic Festival - Celtic Nations - The National Celtic Festival will be held at: Newcomb St, Portalington. This festival is recognized as Australia's largest celebration of celtic culture. International and national artists present music, dance, and workshops.
 * June 20 - World Refugee Day - This years theme will be recognized as "home" - and highlights the plight of the world's 15 million refugees, more than three million of them in the developing world, who have been 'up-rooted' from their homes by conflict and prosecution.

July

 * July 3 - NAIDOC - Better known as: National Aboriginal and Islanders Day; this celebration is held around Australia in the first full week of July. NAIDOC celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
 * July 15 - Asalha Puja - This fetival is celebrated on the full moon day of the 8th Lunar month, and celebrates the first teachings of the Buddha.
 * July 18 - Nelson Mandela International Day - This day is celebrated in recognition of the former South African President, Nelson Mandela.

August

 * August 9 - International Day of the World's Indigenous People - The focus of this years International Day will be celebrating Ingdigenous film making, this ties in with the theme of 2010: session of the pernament forum on Indigenous people - development with culture and identity.
 * August 31 - Eid al Fitr - This celebration marks the end of Ramadan and the start of a three-day feast!

September

 * September 2 - Paryushan - Paryushan is the celebration of spiritual knowledge, and is one the most important festivals of Jain relegion. It is believed to be a time were you forget about all the 'negative' activities in your mind, and rather focus on all the positive experiences.
 * September 22 - Krishna Janmashtami - On this day, Hindu's all over India observe fast and recite the life story and teaching of Sir Krishna - noted in the form of ‘shlokas’ in Bhagwad.
 * September 28 - Navaratri - Also referred to as Durga Puja, this festival is dedicated to the goddess Durga and her manifestaions. Navarati also holds special significance to the Gurjratis and the Bengalis.
 * Spetember 29 - Rosh Hashanah - This celebration is commonly referred to as the Jewish New Year, and is referred to as one of the most holiest days of the year for many Jewish Australians'.

October

 * October 8 - Yom Kippur - The purpose of this celebration, is to bring about reconciliation between people, individuals, and God; and whereby God decides the fate of each human being.
 * October 17 - Dasera - Is known to be a major Hindu festival, as it makes up one of the three and a half auspicious days of the year. Dasera is the name imparted on the tenth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu Lunar month.
 * October 26 - Diwali - The Diwali festival is celebrated by the Sikhs, Hindus, and Jains; and is recoginized as the 'Festival of lights' where by the people decorate their places with small earthenware oil lamps. It is also a traditional time to redecorate homes and buy new clothes. Diwali is also a time to celebrate a successful harvest.

November

 * November 6 - Eid al Adha - During this celebration Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham's trials-by themselves slaughtering an animal (such as sheep, camel, or goat).
 * Novemeber 20 - Africa Industrialization Day - This day is intended to mobilize the commitment of the international community to the industrialization of Africa.
 * November 21 - Polish Festival - Polish Festival @ Federation Square - Held at Melbourne's Federation square; the Polish culture is celebrated. A festival is held where you can indulge in the flavours and sounds of Poland, sample traditional delicacies, dancing, and their Amber Jewelry.
 * November 29 - International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People - The date of 29 November was chosen because of its meaning and significance to the Palestinian people. On that day in 1947, the General Assembly adopted resolution 181, which came to be known as the Partition Resolution.

December

 * December 18 - International Migrants Day - This day celebrates the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and memebers of their families. The General Assembly adopted this international convention on December 18, 1990.