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What is Nowruz Spring Holiday and How It's Celebrated Around the Globe

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Nowruz marks the arrival of spring and the New Year according to the astronomical solar calendar among the Iranian and Turkic people.
Nowruz is celebrated from March 21 to 23. It acquired official status in the Achaemenid Empire as a religious holiday in Zoroastrianism. Despite the spread of Islam during Arab conquests, Nowruz persisted and continues to be celebrated today. However, it lost its religious essence and simply marks the day of the spring equinox.
Nowruz is currently celebrated as the official start of the new year according to the astronomical solar calendar in Iran and Afghanistan. As a public holiday, Nowruz is celebrated in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Albania, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Turkiye, and Kazakhstan. There is a folk wisdom that the more generous the holiday, the more prosperous the year will be.
© AFP 2023

People gather around colourful eggs in Tehran's Azadi Square as they celebrate Nowruz.

People gather around colourful eggs in Tehran's Azadi Square as they celebrate Nowruz.  - Sputnik International
1/11

People gather around colourful eggs in Tehran's Azadi Square as they celebrate Nowruz.

© AFP 2023 / Mohsen Karimi

An Afghan family sits around food laid out on a table inside their home in celebrations ahead of Nowruz which marks the Afghan New Year, in Herat.

An Afghan family sits around food laid out on a table inside their home in celebrations ahead of Nowruz which marks the Afghan New Year, in Herat.  - Sputnik International
2/11

An Afghan family sits around food laid out on a table inside their home in celebrations ahead of Nowruz which marks the Afghan New Year, in Herat.

© AFP 2023 / Safin Hamed

Iraqi Kurds celebrate Nowruz in the town of Akra in Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdish region.

Iraqi Kurds celebrate Nowruz in the town of Akra in Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdish region.  - Sputnik International
3/11

Iraqi Kurds celebrate Nowruz in the town of Akra in Iraq's northern autonomous Kurdish region.

© AFP 2023 / Safin Hamed

Iraqi Kurds holding lit torches walk up a mountain during celebrations of Nowruz.

Iraqi Kurds holding lit torches walk up a mountain during celebrations of Nowruz. - Sputnik International
4/11

Iraqi Kurds holding lit torches walk up a mountain during celebrations of Nowruz.

© Sputnik / Murad Orujov / Go to the mediabank

Millions of people across the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe celebrate Nowruz New Year festival.

Millions of people across the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe celebrate Nowruz New Year festival. - Sputnik International
5/11

Millions of people across the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe celebrate Nowruz New Year festival.

© AFP 2023

In Persian tradition Nowruz is also a day to honor the ultimate ruler - Shahinshah (King of Kings).

In Persian tradition Nowruz is also a day to honor the ultimate ruler - Shahinshah (King of Kings).  - Sputnik International
6/11

In Persian tradition Nowruz is also a day to honor the ultimate ruler - Shahinshah (King of Kings).

© Sputnik / Maksim Bogodvid / Go to the mediabank

A girl holds in her hands semeni - wheat sprouted in a plate at the celebration of Nowruz in Kazan.

A girl holds in her hands semeni - wheat sprouted in a plate at the celebration of Nowruz in Kazan. - Sputnik International
7/11

A girl holds in her hands semeni - wheat sprouted in a plate at the celebration of Nowruz in Kazan.

© AFP 2023

Nowruz marks the rejuvenation of nature and humanity.

Nowruz marks the rejuvenation of nature and humanity.  - Sputnik International
8/11

Nowruz marks the rejuvenation of nature and humanity.

© Sputnik / Maksim Bogodvid / Go to the mediabank

Girl dances during a celebration of Nowruz in Kazan.

Girl dances during a celebration of Nowruz in Kazan.  - Sputnik International
9/11

Girl dances during a celebration of Nowruz in Kazan.

© Sputnik / Murad Orujov / Go to the mediabank

Cooking shish kebabs at Nowruz celebrations in Baku.

Cooking shish kebabs at Nowruz celebrations in Baku. - Sputnik International
10/11

Cooking shish kebabs at Nowruz celebrations in Baku.

© AFP 2023 / Yasin Akgul

Fire is important part of Nowruz since it means purification.

Fire is important part of Nowruz since it means purification.  - Sputnik International
11/11

Fire is important part of Nowruz since it means purification.

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