Newroz, a spring or New Year festival meaning new day, is celebrated by both Iranians and Kurds. Not celebrated by the Turks and banned until recently it has assumed a national significance for Kurds in Turkey. Its origins are ancient and many stories surround its conception. The one most preferred by the PKK sympathetic Kurds mirrors their own struggle - the legend of an evil tyrant Dewak who is defeated and killed in an uprising lead by the heroic Awa.

Originally celebrated privately at home, Newroz is now a major political and nationalist rallying point - in this case taking place in Finsbury Park in North London. The celebration is normally marked by the lighting and carrying of fires. Despite the lighting of one large fire - incendiary activity was curtailed by local government regulations.