This week, Clwyd West MS Darren Millar jointly hosted the first ever event in the Senedd to mark Newroz, the Kurdish New Year.  

Following a request by The Centre for Kurdish Progress, Darren, along with fellow MS Jack Sargeant, organised the event which took place on Wednesday evening.  

The event welcomed representatives of the Kurdish Community from across Wales and those in attendance took part in some traditional dancing.  

Darren said:

“Newroz is the Kurdish celebration of the new year holiday and is a festival celebrating the beginning of spring.

“Over the years, Newroz has come to represent new beginnings, as well as an opportunity to support the Kurdish cause. For these reasons, Newroz is considered to be the most important festival in Kurdish culture.

“Typically the festival is celebrated in the days running up to the Spring Equinox, and this year celebrations have been taking place since March 21th and will continue until April 1st.

“During Newroz, there are special foods, fireworks, dancing, singing, and poetry recitations. Spring flowers, such as tulips, hyacinths, and pussy willows, are cut, new clothes are worn, and pottery is smashed for good fortune. Families spend the day in the country, enjoying nature and the fresh growth of spring.

“Jack and I have been keen to hold an event in the Senedd to celebrate Newroz for sometime, so I was delighted that we were finally able to do it this year.

“It was a wonderful evening and everyone in attendance seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Hopefully, the celebration will become an annual event in the Senedd calendar.”