Purim in Hackney, Neil Martinson, book review: ‘Rare insight into humour of orthodox communities’

Purim sees people swap traditional clothing for fancy dress. Photograph: Neil Martinson

Neil Martinson has been photographing the dizzying variety of street life in Hackney for decades.

His newest series is focused on the annual outburst of exuberance that takes place during the festival of Purim, which commemorates the salvation of Jewish people from a plot by an ancient Persian official to annihilate them.

For the orthodox of Stamford Hill, Purim is a time when traditional sombre clothing is shed for outlandish fancy dress, and generosity comes to the fore.

Photograph: Neil Martinson

Martinson has captured the joy of the celebrations in a new booklet called Purim in Hackney, which shows Hackney’s Hasidic Jewish citizens at their most playful.

The 25 photos collected in this volume explore the creativity in Europe’s largest community of its kind.

Prominent are costumes from times past – velvet frock coats with elaborate braiding and military attire for boys, ball gowns for girls.

Photograph: Neil Martinson

We also see more modern outfits, such as furry monster motorcycle helmets, combat fatigues and a mask of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Make-up and multicoloured wigs abound, as do smiles and laughter.

Hasidic Jewish groups have lived in Stamford Hill at least since the 1920s, and there are now 75 different synagogues in an area which may appear mysterious to outsiders.

This delightful little book offers a rare insight into the more humorous side of Hackney’s orthodox communities, with images that are sure to surprise as much as they please.

Purim in Hackney by Neil Martinson is self-published, ISBN: 978-1-3999-9317-3; RRP: £8.00. 

The book is available in local bookshops and online at neilmartinsonphotography.com.