For the second year in the row, Kurdish Newroz was commemorated at NSW Parliament on March 22. The Democrat Kurdish Community Centre (NSW) organised speeches and cultural performances and the event was co-hosted by Greens MP for Balmain Jamie Parker and Labor MP for Blacktown Stephen Bali. Twelve MPs attended.
Zeynep Korkmaz, Co-Chair of the Sydney Kurdish Youth Association, told the gathering, New Year’s Day in Kurdish is Newroz, which means a new day. “Newroz also celebrates the beginning of spring and new life in the northern hemisphere. The long, cold winter is over and the cycle of life is beginning once more. Over the years, Newroz has come to represent new beginnings, as well as an opportunity to support the Kurdish struggle for freedom and peace.”
A Kurdish Newroz event was held in the Victorian Parliament House on March 23 hosted by Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam and Kurdish Labor MLC Enver Erdogan.
Several other large gatherings were hosted by the Kurdish community for Newroz.