Beltane is the ancient Celtic festival marking the beginning of summer. Bealtaine, (or various other spellings) is old Irish for “bright fire” or “mouth of fire.” On Beltane great bonfires may be lit, so it also known as the Fire Festival. Beltane is celebrated on the evening of April 30 into the day of May 1st. Beltane is celebrated in Ireland, Scotland and in other places where people have tried to revive Celtic festivals and observances. Remnants of Beltane traditions can be seen in many May Day festivals, including parts of Canada, such as Newfoundland.
During Pesach, or Passover, Jews in Canada and around the world commemorate how God delivered the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. The Seder is a feast that takes place on the first night of Pesach. Passover is one of the most important festivals on the Jewish calendar. In 2024 Passover takes place from sundown on April 22 to April 30.
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April 13 is Vaisakhi. Vaisakhi is a major festival on the Sikh calendar, and one of the most important days of the year. Sikhs in Canada, India, and around the world will celebrate the founding of the Khalsa, or the worldwide body of Sikhs, as established by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. Sometimes Vaisakhi is referred to as Khalsa Day.
Vaisakhi, or Baisakhi, was traditionally a spring harvest festival, and for some, a New Year’s Day. All across northern India, particularly in the Punjab, many different groups will celebrate Vaisakhi for these various reasons, including Hindus and other non-Sikhs. Vaisakhi is traditionally observed on April 13 or 14, but may be celebrated on different days in different places. Vancouver will hold its Vaisakhi Parade on April 13, while Surrey will hold its parade, one of the largest in the world, on April 20.
The overwhelming majority of Indo-Canadians (people of South Asian origin) in our school and in our neighbourhoods are Sikhs. As such, Vaisakhi is a major holiday here in Surrey and other cities in British Columbia with concentrated populations of Sikhs, such as Vancouver and Abbotsford.
Eid Mubarak! As Ramadan comes to an end, Muslims in Canada and around the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr. Observant Muslims spent the holy month of Ramadan fasting during daylight hours, and with the arrival of Eid, feasting can begin. Eid al-Fitr, also known as the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, Id-al-Fitr, or Sweet Eid, is a Muslim festival that is practiced in different ways around the world. Eid may be one day or it can last for three days. The official start of Eid may vary in different places around the world, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon to end the month. Ramadan may end on the evening of April 9 or 10 in 2024, according to the Gregrorian Calendar.
St. Patrick’s Day is coming up! We will be on March Break on March 17, but you can get ready by learning more about St. Patrick, and all things Ireland and Irish.
March is Irish Heritage Month. Celebrate with us in your School Library!
Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary School Library 