JERUSALEM - Lighting a symbolic bonfire at a university in Jerusalem, Kurdish students celebrated Newroz last week together with students from 21 countries.

Tewfiq Bayram, a student from the Kurdish-populated city of Sirnex in Turkey’s Kurdistan, wore a Kurdish outfit and baked special Kurdish New Year bread for his friends, who for the first time were taking part in a Kurdish New Year celebration.

“Many times we come together to celebrate important holidays from different countries. Similarly, we prepared a celebration for Newroz, the Kurdish New Year, with the help of the university and students,” Bayram said.

March 21 marks the Kurdish New Year of Newroz, which is celebrated with music and bonfires atop mountains in Kurdistan. Besides the Kurds, Newroz is also celebrated in Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

At the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, students from Kenya, Norway, USA, Japan, Uzbekistan and Papua New Guinea spoke talked about their first experience attending a Kurdish ceremony.

“Coming from a multicultural country myself with so many tribes and about 800 different languages, I thought I already know everything there is about different cultures,” said Christopher Raymond, a student from Papua New Guinea. “But this Kurdish New year celebration was a totally new experience for me.”

Marthe Sorli, another student from Norway, said she had learned a lot about Kurdish history and culture, after Bayram had spoken to the attendees about the Kurds, their historical and cultural backgrounds.

“The evening was a reminder of the strong Kurdish people and the importance of freedom. It was an unforgettable evening, which created memories that I will take with me back to Norway,” Sorli said.

Kurdish music and traditional dances added to the fun. “We danced around the fire and jumped over it. The students liked the tradition, the Kurdish food, Kurdish clothes and Kurdish music.” Bayram explained.

From Japan, Asami Ueno liked almost all parts of the celebrations, including jumping over the fire and dancing. But she said she liked best when everyone wished the Kurds “peace and freedom. I will never forget that special moment, wishing peace and freedom for the Kurdish people.”

Among the participant was Professor Ora Paltiel, director of the School of Public Health at the university, who opened the ceremony and cut the hand-made bread.

“It was my first taste of Kurdish New Year and it was indeed tasty,” Paltiel said.

Rudaw