Orthodox Jewish revellers dress in colourful costumes and even as Donald Trump ... trends now Orthodox Jewish children and adults have been donning colourful outfits - and even a Donald Trump mask - while celebrating the ancient festival of Purim. Youngsters in smart and eye-catching costumes were seen enjoying parties and parades in the north London district of Stamford Hill, believed to have Europe's largest concentration of Hasidic Jews. There have also been festivities for the occasion in other parts of the UK including Manchester, in keeping with centuries-old tradition. The Purim festival dates back 2,500 years and commemorates the survival of the Jewish people who had been lined up for death in ancient Persia. Worshippers celebrate the courage of Esther, Queen of Persia, who prevented a genocide plotted by the King of Persia's adviser Haman - as related in the Bible's Old Testament Book of Esther. Children in Stamford Hill, north London, have celebrated the ancient Jewish festival of Purim One youngster was seen wearing a mask of former US President Donald Trump Stamford Hill is believed to be home to Europe's largest concentration of Hasidic Jews Worshippers traditionally mark Purim by wearing fancy dress and exchanging gifts Jewish people traditionally hold processions as part of celebrations as well as going to work and to synagogues in special costumes. One youngster in Stamford Hill was seen in a suit and Donald Trump mask, while others wore elegant gowns, coats and hats. Others were earlier seen clad as Top Gun pilots, parrots and Canon cameras. The events in Stamford Hill began on Saturday evening and continued to last night. Anntoinette Bramble, deputy mayor of surrounding borough Hackney, welcomed Purim celebrations as 'such a colourful and cheerful event'. She said: 'We’re proud that Hackney is a vibrant and diverse place where our community comes together to celebrate their faith. 'During this special festival, we extend our well wishes to everyone celebrating and hope that they also bring joy to the rest of the borough.' People worldwide have been marching in parades wearing costumes in honour of Esther, who masqueraded as a non-Jew to unveil the plot against her people. Parties and parades have been held by British Jewish communities for the occasion Jewish people traditionally celebrate Purim by wearing smart outfits or fancy dress The events in Stamford Hill began on Saturday evening and continued up to last night Purim commemorates the survival of Jewish people lined up for death in ancient Persia People taking part in festivities have been seen in elegant gowns, coats and hats. A resident walks by a vintage double decker red bus during Stamford Hill's Purim celebrations Another local was captured on camera walking past a closed shop in the north London district A Jewish family celebrates the holiday of Purim, from the Book of Esther, in London on Sunday People dressed in costumes celebrate Purim in Jerusalem on March 25, 2024 THE MEANING BEHIND THE STORY OF PURIM The Jewish holiday Purim commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from a plot intended to wipe them out. The story, which is recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther, tells the tale of how an advisor to King Ahasuerus named Haman planned to kill all the Jews, only for his wicked plot to be thwarted by the king's wife Esther and her adoptive father Mordecai. Haman had selected a day on which he would annihilate the entire Jewish population and had sent out a decree bearing the King's seal, ordering that every Jewish man, woman and child be killed. But Esther - who had been chosen as Ahasuerus's wife by taking part in a beauty contest and concealing the fact she was Jewish - later convinced the King to send out a new decree allowing the Jews to rise up and defend themselves - thus saving their lives. The story is read out in synagogues while children traditionally get dressed up as Esther, or the King. In the synagogue they are given football rattles and noisemakers to drown out Haman's name. Advertisement Her story is traditionally read aloud twice during Purim, in the evening and again the following morning. The ritual observance of Purim begins with a day of fasting on Adar 13, the day preceding the actual holiday. Drunkenness is usually discouraged by Jewish law but it is considered a mitzvah - or religious duty - to drink alcohol during the festival of Purim. According to the tale, Haman's ears were cut off as a part of his punishment, while he cookies eaten on Purim, Hamantaschen, translate to 'ears of Haman'. People also eat seeds, as Esther only ate seeds while living in the King's palace. Jewish communities not only dress up for the festival but also exchange gifts and make donations to the poor. This year's celebrations have included tens of thousands of Israelis taking part in the major city of Jerusalem, amid the ongoing conflict against Hamas in Gaza. Many cities in Israel have decided to cancel this year's events because of the current suffering, but there was a first traditional Purim parade in Jerusalem for 42 years - though there were violent scenes as riot police clashed with ultra-orthodox Jews. Purim this year has been celebrated with costume parties and parades since Saturday Residents have been spotted asking for and handing over charity vouchers from a passing car Children in costume are pictured here playing with a camera during the celebrations Stores have been shut in Stamford Hill as people take part in Purim events Charity vouchers have been requested as part of the event while gifts are also exchanged A vintage double decker red bus played a part in Stamford Hill's Purim occasion The ritual observance of Purim begins with a day of fasting on Adar 13, the day preceding the actual holiday People take part in a Purim party at the Tower of David Museum in the Old City of Jerusalem on March 25, 2024 Ultra-Orthodox Jews clash with police in riot gear after a person climbed on an ambulance in the Ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Me'a She'arim, on March 25, 2024 in Jerusalem Jerusalem, which celebrates Purim one day later than the rest of Israel, held a traditional Purim parade for the first time in 42 years. Men are seen dancing during the festivities today Jews living in the Me'a She'arim neighborhood celebrate the 'Purim holiday' which is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the saving of the Jewish people from annihilation at the hands of an official of the Achaemenid Empire named Haman, with different costumes on the streets It featured large floats of beloved children's characters and DJs dressed up as characters from the story of Purim. About two dozen family members and supporters of about 100 hostages still being held in Gaza by Hamas after terror attacks last October 7 protested the parade. One local, David Heyd, said: 'I know it's tradition to be happy on Purim, but this year I think it's tactless to do these carnivals.' But other family members of the hostages kicked off the procession, marching silently at the front with a giant yellow ribbon. Meirav Leshem Gonen, whose daughter Romi has been held captive in Gaza for 170 days, said: 'My daughter, she needs to be here, she was supposed to be here. 'I am wearing a shirt she was supposed to wear and I'm waiting for her.' Jerusalem resident Shabi Levy, watching the parade with his three children, said: 'We're showing the whole world and our enemies that we're continuing to live, continuing to celebrate. 'It hurts a little, we have a lot of conflicting emotions, and the happiness in our heart has a tear in it.' The story behind the Purim festival is recorded in the Bible's Old Testament Book of Esther Esther's story is traditionally read aloud twice during Purim, in the evening and again the following morning Hackney's deputy mayor Anntoinette Bramble has welcomed Purim celebrations as 'such a colourful and cheerful event' The Stamford Hill festivities are among Purim celebrations across the UK, with other cities taking part also including Manchester Youngsters have been gathering in dedicated outfits to celebrate the 2,500-year-old festival Some helped set up speakers in Stamford Hill to play music accompanying processions Relatives and supporters of the Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip by the Hamas militant group leads the Purim parade in Jerusalem, Monday, March 25, 2024 Spectators in costume watch the annual Purim Parade on Shushan Purim on March 25, 2024 in Jerusalem A man dances in the Purim parade in Jerusalem on March 25, 2024 Children in Stamford Hill, north London, dress in colourful costumes as they celebrate the Jewish festival of Purim on Sunday, March 24, 2024 Sara Sasi, one of thousands of people evacuated from northern Israel due to ongoing fighting with Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, said her family was still able to find the magic within the holiday. She said: 'We have a lot of faith, and we know we can't do anything about the situation, so it won't help us to be upset.' Racheli Goldshtein, watching with her six children, added: 'It's complicated - we're here half crying and half happy. 'There's so much sadness following us every day - whenever we get an opportunity to grab some joy, we go after it.' All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility