Your month ahead – September

23, International Day of Sign Languages

Celebrated annually on 23 September, the UN designated this day to encourage celebration of the linguistic and cultural diversity of sign languages across the planet, and because “for deaf people, sign language rights are fundamental for the full enjoyment of their human rights as defined by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.” The day marks the end of the International Week of Deaf People, which promotes the achievements and culture of the Deaf community.

27, Meskel, Ethiopian Orthodox Christian

Meskel marks the discovery of the true crucifixion cross in Jerusalem. Celebrants hold a big bonfire, called a demera, in Meskel Square, Addis Ababa, and smaller versions are built in towns across the country. These are made up of dried sticks and are decorated with yellow flowers. Worshippers from different churches across Ethiopia gather, wearing white with red sashes and playing musical instruments. During Meskel, people return to the villages and neighbourhoods where they were born for the celebrations.

September’s dates at a glance

Religious/cultural

1 –          Ecclesiastical Year begins, Orthodox Christian
1 –          First Installation of the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikh
4 –         Krishna Janmashtami, Hindu
4 –         Rohini Vrat, Jain
8 –         Feast of the Birth of the Virgin Mary, Christian
8 –         Nativity of the Theotokos, Orthodox Christian
8 –         Paryushana Parvarambha, Jain
12 –       Guru Grinth Sahib Jayanti, Sikh
12-13 –  Rosh Hashanah, Judaism
12-16 –  Paitishahem Gahambar, Zoroastrian
14 –        Feast of the Cross, Christian
14 –        Ganesh Chaturthi, Hindu
15 –        Samvatsari Parva, Jain
21 –        Feast of Saint Matthew, Christian
21 –        Yom Kippur, Judaism
23 –        Mabon, Wicca and Pagan
23 –        Autumnal Equinox Day (Shūbun No Hi) Shinto
24 –        Pavarana, Buddhist
25 –        Anant Chaturdashi, Hindu
26 –        Pitri Paksha begins, Hindu
26 Sept – 2 Oct – Sukkot, Judaism
27 –       Meskel, Ethiopian Orthodox Christian
29 –       Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels, Christian

Awareness and Events

10 –         World Suicide Prevention Day
15 –         World Afro Day’s ‘Big Hair Assembly’
18 –         International Equal Pay Day
21 –         World Alzheimer’s Day
23 –        Autumn Equinox
23 –        Bi Visibility Day
23 –        International Day of Sign Languages
28 Sept – 4 Oct – UK National Inclusion Week