On the evenings of Sunday 13 April 2025, after sunset, the iconic Library of Birmingham was lit up in orange to celebrate the Sikh festival of Vaisakhi, the holiest day in the Sikh faith calendar. The historic occasion marked the first time a public building in the UK has been lit up in observance of a Sikh sacred festival, a gesture which pays homage to the collective contribution of Sikhs in the UK.
The event was organised in partnership with the Birmingham Sikh community and the Library of Birmingham to celebrate Vaisakhi, the founding of the Khalsa in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs.
To the faithful, Vaisakhi, is a time of grave religious significance; to inspire, to build up faith, to widen our orbit of human relationships, and to foster virtues and values, which enrich human lives.
Birmingham City has one of the highest population of Sikhs in the UK. The virtues and values which Sikhs remember and aim to live up to at Vaisakhi are:
- Naam Japo (prayer and contemplation)
- Kirat Karo (earning a livelihood through sweat of the brow)
- Wand Shako (sharing one’s wealth and knowledge with others)
- Kirtan Karo Te Suno (singing and listening to God’s praises)
- Haumae Maro (shedding one’s ego and being humble)
- Daya Palo (exercising love, compassion, mercy and forgiveness)
- Parupkar Karo (being altruistic)
- Sarbat da Bhalla Mango (seeking welfare of all)
- Changi Sangat Karo (seeking and enjoying the company of the holy and exalted)
- Jo Karo – Nishkam Karo (seeking no reward, gift or salvation. Being selfless and ready to sacrifice).
Initiating the ‘going orange’ of the library was Brian Gambles, Assistant Director of Culture at Library of Birmingham; David Pots, Head of Learning Resources at Library of Birmingham; and Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singh, Chair of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ).
