An exhibition celebrating the survival of the ancient culture of the Kurds features at the Immigration Museum from 16 March to 25 September 2010. 

Survival of a Culture: Kurds in Australia celebrates the distinctive culture of the Kurds and the ways in which the Kurdish community in Australia has revitalised their long-held traditions. The exhibition explores Kurdish culture through tattoos, music, dance and poetry, as well as in regional costumes and hand-woven crafts including carpets. 

“Moving to Australia has given Kurdish people the freedom to express an identity that is repressed in the countries they came from”, said Maria Tence, Community Exhibitions Manager. “The exhibition explores the ways in which the community celebrates its customs through the objects and images on display”. 

The origins of the Kurdish people trace back more than 10,000 years to Kurdistan in the northern regions of the Middle East. Following a long history of invasion and occupation, at the end of the first World War Kurdistan was divided among Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey, and Kurdish nationality and culture was suppressed. 

Despite these waves of invasion and displacement, Kurdish people managed to maintain their traditions. In Australia, these traditions are celebrated openly and freely, and as a result, Kurdish culture has flourished. 

Kurdish migrants began arriving in Australia from Turkey in the 1960s. In the 1980s and 1990s, Kurdish refugees came to Australia having escaped the Iran-Iraq War and the Gulf War. In recent years, Kurdish migrants have come as refugees from countries like Armenia and Georgia, countries where they had previously sought sanctuary. The largest Kurdish communities in Australia are in Sydney and Melbourne. In 2006 about 2000 Victorians claimed Kurdish ancestry, although the actual number is thought to be higher. 

“As Kurd-Australians, we are free to celebrate our ancient culture in our new home, and enjoy the peace and harmony that we have found in here”, said Twana Nwri a community representative. 

The Immigration Museum, through its Community Exhibitions, provides a forum for a community’s shared voices to tell their migration story. Community exhibitions are created by communities themselves with support from the Museum. The Community Gallery has been open for over 10 years, and has hosted more than 50 Community Exhibitions. 

Survival of a Culture: Kurds in Australia

Immigration Museum

16 March to 25 September 2010

Adults $8, Children and Concession FREE

Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne. Admission: Adults $8, Children and Concession FREE.

Open daily 10.00am to 5.00pm. Phone 13 11 02 or visit museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum