Events

2 Nov (Tuesday) Anniversary of the Crowning of Haile Selassie – Rastafari

• One of the holiest days of the Rastafarian year
• It celebrates Haile Selassie’s accession to the Ethiopian throne.
• It cements the role Ethiopia plays at the heart of
  Rastafarian tradition.

4 Nov (Thursday) Diwali – Hindi/Sikhs/Jains

• Diwali is the five-day Festival of Lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world.
• It is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
• Fireworks are set off and light are hung out during the festival.
• It is generally associated with Lakshmi, goddess of wealth and prosperity, or with the victorious return of Rama and Sita after their exile.
• Diwali marks the beginning of the Indian financial year.

14 Nov (Sunday) Remembrance Sunday – National

• remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.
• We remember the Armed Forces, and their families, from Britain and the Commonwealth, the vital role played by the emergency services and those that have lost their lives as a result of conflict or terrorism.
• HM The Queen will pay tribute alongside Members of the Cabinet, Opposition Party leaders, former Prime Ministers, the Mayor of London and other ministers.

28 Nov (Sunday) Advent Sunday – Christianity

• The start of the Christian year and the fourth Sunday before Christmas.
• Advent means 'Coming' in Latin. This is the coming of Jesus into the world.
• Christians use the four Sundays and weeks of Advent to prepare and remember the real meaning of Christmas.
• It is often celebrated by lighting the first candle in the advent crown – a circular wreath of greenery.
• A further three candles are lit on subsequent Sundays, culminating with the Christmas candle on the 25th December. This signifies the transition from darkness to light.

29 Nov – 6 Dec (Mon-Mon) Hanukah – Jews

• The eight-day celebration known as Hanukkah commemorates the reclaiming of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after, according to legend, the Jews rose up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt.
• For the eight evenings of the festival, candles are lit from right to left in a hanukkiah.
• Foods cooked with oil - such as doughnuts and latkes (potato cakes) – are traditional to remember the miracle with oil that happened at this time.