Newroz! Piroz

March 21 Newroz

A traditional holiday celebrating the deliverance of the Kurdish people from a mythical tyrant is under threat…
It is Newroz festival today. Newroz means ‘new day’ in Kurdish.

They say this ‘new day festival’ is being celebrated in all Eastern cultures but for Kurdish people it means a lot more than a new day that says spring is coming.

Once upon a time, there was a cruel commander whose name was Dehak (Zuhak), in Mesopotamia. Continue reading “Newroz! Piroz”

Transition Leicester

2014 March Transition Leicester About Transition Leicester

Transition Leicester is a growing network of local people that aims to inspire action to make Leicester a thriving, low-carbon and resilient city that we’ll love to live in.

Our main focus is on developing practical local solutions to some of the big challenges that our community is facing today, such as climate change, the economic crisis and dwindling supplies of fossil fuel energy. Although this situation is challenging, we also see it as a great opportunity to plan for and create a positive and sustainable future for our city. Continue reading “Transition Leicester”

New year thoughts at the start of 2014

As 2013 leaves us my thoughts are especially with the people of Syria, and with the Kurds who have created a safe haven in the midst of the mess; hopes for 2014 are with Left Unity which was born this year and personal thanks to Ken Loach, Andrew Burgin and Kate Hudson, and local Leicester people for their part in this; in Leicester we have the People’s Arts Collective to take us into much needed political cultural change … the music will keep flowing and so will folk clubs and festivals – including Yesim Cafe, Grill&Meze Bar on a Sunday.

Lots to do, walk cheerfully, live adventurously and simply, and let love be my guide.

Here’s wishing you a challenging and enjoyable 2014 xx

Margaret Owen returns from solidarity visit to Rojava

1075604_653746481334321_197652154_oPeace In Kurdistan Campaign PRESS RELEASE – 30 December 2013

Margaret Owen, a well-known human rights lawyer and women’s rights advocate has returned from a solidarity visit with women’s groups in Rojava, northern Syria.

Margaret spent eight days in the region, which is also known as Western Kurdistan and is currently under the administration of a broad coalition of civil society and political organisations led by the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD). The region was largely peaceful until clashes with Al Qaeda affiliated groups began this year, and has seen a massive influx of Syrian internal refugees fleeing violence elsewhere in the country. Continue reading “Margaret Owen returns from solidarity visit to Rojava”