Kurdish Culture

In the summer of 2007, the Museum's Outreach Team worked with a group of Kurdish residents through the city's Refugee Mentoring Scheme, Time Together.

A series of paintings by a member of the group were used as a starting point for staff to interview them and ask them about themselves and what it means to be Kurdish.

The project resulted in a display featuring the paintings plus information about the Kurds alongside photographs, responses and examples of traditional Kurdish costumes. Musical instruments such as a drum and a santour (a stringed instrument) were also displayed to help give visitors to the Museum a much better insight into Kurdish Culture.

The group celebrated the display with an evening of food, drink, music and dancing in the Museum's foyer.

"Thank you for the Kurdish exhibition. I have taken away information and will enjoy learning more. Good wishes. May this be a good place for a new life."
Museum visitor

"Very thought provoking and interesting. I loved the men's clothes. I hope you find peace and friendship here."
Museum visitor

"A valuable experience which conjured mixed emotions but which taught me lots."
Project participant

"A very moving display - its good to see that some people are trying to help others understand their way of life."
Museum visitor

"Many thanks for this opportunity to learn something meaningful about another culture."
Museum visitor