More than 200 members of the Kurdish community in Oxford celebrated the Kurdish New Year on Sunday night at a festival held at Cheney School.

The festival, called Newroz, coincides with the Spring Equinox and symbolises freedom, revival and victory over oppression.

People enjoyed traditional food and dancing at the event and children performed a traditional Kurdish story of Kawa the blacksmith, the national hero and a symbol of resistance.

ALSO READ: Holi celebrations at Rose Hill Community Centre, Oxford

Over the centuries, the Kurdish have been displaced, suppressed, massacred, and their language and culture has been suppressed.

thisisoxfordshire:

Therefore, Newroz is considered to be the most important festival in the year and a statement of support for the Kurdish cause.

The celebration was organised by the Oxford Kurdish Association and The Lord Mayor of Oxford, Councillor Colin Cook, gave a speech to congratulate the community and Councillor Lubna Arshad and local PCSOs also attended and engaged with the community.