Bulletin
Spring Holidays Around the World
April 12, 2022
To: All MoveUP Members
Did you know that in 2022, for the first time in 30 years, Muslims, Jews, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Hindus, and Bahá’ís will celebrate spring holidays during the month of April?
Additionally, the Gathering of Nations – which brings together several hundred Indigenous tribes from across the United States and Canada – also takes place in the final week of April.
Our Human Rights & Multicultural Committee wishes all our members who are observing a spring holiday a safe and joyous celebration.
You can learn more about some of these holidays briefly below.
Ramadan – April 2 to May 1, 2022
The holy month of Ramadan is observed by Muslims throughout the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. During this month, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk and practice self-restraint. The end of the Ramadan fast is celebrated as Eid al-Fitr, the “Feast of Fast-Breaking.”
Learn more here.
Vaisakhi – April 13, 2022
Vaisakhi (say “va-SAH-kee”), also known as Baisakhi, is one of the most important dates in the Sikh calendar. Originating in the Punjab region (the northern part) of India, the is festival now celebrated throughout Sikh and Hindu communities around the world.
Vaisakhi originated as a harvest festival, but it is so much more than that. It is serves as a reminder to the Sikh community of the creation of the Khalsa order which promotes justice and equality for the creation of a more equal and just society, committing to wearing the five articles of faith and practices daily meditation. It also allows individuals access to their Sikh spiritual guide.
Learn more here.
Mahavir Jayanti – April 14, 2022
Mahavir Jayanti is one of the most important religious holidays in Jainism and celebrates the birth of Majavira, a contemporary of the Buddha, and the 24th and last Tirthankara (great sages). Procession, statue washing, temple visiting, and making donations are among the celebratory activities during this festival.
Passover – April 15-23, 2022
Passover is one of the most important Jewish holidays. The eight-day festival celebrates Jewish liberation from slavery in Egypt. On the first night of Passover, a special family meal called seder is held. Through out the festival, strict dietary laws must be observed, and special prohibitions restrict work at the beginning and end of the celebration.
Learn more here.
Theravada New Year – April 16, 2022
Theravada New Year is a Buddhist festival celebrates by countries that observe Theravada Buddhism as their dominant religion. This form of Buddhism is more prevalent in South East Asian Countries. Theravada Buddhism is one of the two major schools of Buddhism, the other being Mahayana Buddhism.
Thereavada New Year is a three-day celebration surrounding a full moon. (Mahayana New Year tends to fall at the same time as the turn of the year for the Gregorian Calendar, while some Buddhists do not celebrate either Theravada New Year or Mahayana New Year and instead recognize Lunar New Year.
Learn more here.
Easter – April 17, 2022
The Easter holiday is one of the most important to the Christian faith and celebrates the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion. Easter is preceded by the season of Lent, 40 days of observance beginning on Ash Wednesday (March 2). Lent concludes with the observance of Holy Thursday (observance of the last supper), Good Friday (the day of Jesus’ crucifixion), and Easter Sunday (the day of resurrection).
Learn more here.
Festival of Ridván – April 21-May 2, 2022
This festival celebrates the 12 days in 1863 when Bahá’u’lláh, founder of the Bahá’í faith, announced his mission as God’s messenger. Bahá’u’lláh proclaimed it the holiest Bahá’i festival, with the first, ninth and twelfth days as holy days.
The Festival of Ridván comes shortly after Naw-Rúz (or Nowruz), the Bahá’í New Year, which was celebrated on March 21, 2022.
Learn more here.
Gathering of Nations Pow Wow – April 28-30, 2022
Now in its 39th year, the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow and Miss Indian World Pageant is one of the world’s most recognized festival. The event brings together Native people to celebrate and share culture, and a place where singers and dancers can feel confidence that competition is fair to all.
Learn more here.
Our Human Rights & Multicultural Committee strives to share information about many different cultural observances to our members in the spirit of embracing and celebrating our diversity. While we try to share as many as we can, we acknowledge there are many others we do not have the opportunity to, or the knowledge about, to share. We welcome respectful feedback from our members and suggestions for observances that we can share in the future.
In solidarity,
Christy Slusarenko & Gunter Seifert
Co-chairs, Human Rights & Multicultural Committee