Important events and celebrations this month include:
1-29 LGBT History Month
LGBT History Month aims to mark and celebrate the lives and achievements of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people. LGBT people have often avoided attention in society for their own safety and have frequently been ignored by others for their achievements and contributions. This month is designed to begin to rectify this.
5 Shrove Tuesday
The day before the Christian period of Lent. The British name of Pancake Day comes from the tradition of making pancakes to use up all the food that could not be eaten during Lent. It is also known as Mardi Gras.
6 Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the 40 day period of Lent for Western Christian churches. It's a day of penitence to clean the soul before the Lent fast. Some churches hold special services at which worshippers are marked with ashes as a symbol of death, and sorrow for sin.
7 Chinese New Year
Preparations tend to begin a month before when people buy presents, decorations, food and clothing. Houses are cleaned from top to bottom to sweep away bad luck and decorations are hung. Families and neighbours come together to celebrate and grudges are cast aside. The end of New Year is marked by the Festival of Lanterns.
11 Vasant Panchami
Hindu celebration dedicated to Saraswati, goddess of learning and Brahma’s wife.
14 St Valentine’s Day
The first official Saint Valentine's Day was declared on 14th of February by Pope Galasius in 496, in memory of a 3rd century martyred priest in Rome. Now it is more of a secular festival than a religious one, when people exchange cards and gifts with loved ones.
21 International Mother Tongue Day
A day promoting world languages and cultural diversity. It also aims to highlight languages at risk of disappearing.
25 Feb – 9 March Fair Trade Fortnight
Rotherham is proud to support Fair Trade. The Fairtrade Mark is an independent consumer label on UK products that guarantees that farmers and workers in the developing world have better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability and fair terms. The aim is to encourage shoppers and businesses to buy more Fair Trade products.
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