Nowruz — the Persian new year

Published March 21, 2014
a wide view of a commercial street of downtown Tehran is shown ahead of the Iranian New Year, or Nowruz, in downtown Tehran, Iran.
a wide view of a commercial street of downtown Tehran is shown ahead of the Iranian New Year, or Nowruz, in downtown Tehran, Iran.
A potential Iranian female customer and her husband stand in a shop in Tehran's old main bazaar, ahead of the Iranian New Year, or Nowruz, in downtown Tehran, Iran.
A potential Iranian female customer and her husband stand in a shop in Tehran's old main bazaar, ahead of the Iranian New Year, or Nowruz, in downtown Tehran, Iran.
A potential Iranian female customer talks to a shopkeeper at a shop in Tehran's old main bazaar, ahead of the Iranian New Year, or Nowruz, in downtown Tehran, Iran.
A potential Iranian female customer talks to a shopkeeper at a shop in Tehran's old main bazaar, ahead of the Iranian New Year, or Nowruz, in downtown Tehran, Iran.
Azerbaijani enthusiasts of Varzesh-e Pahlavani, the ancient Iranian martial art, perform during celebration of the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz, in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani enthusiasts of Varzesh-e Pahlavani, the ancient Iranian martial art, perform during celebration of the Persian New Year, known as Nowruz, in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
Iranian release a lit lantern during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast,  marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran, Iran.
Iranian release a lit lantern during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran, Iran.
An Iranian man plays with a firework in the Pardisan Park in Tehran, Iran.
An Iranian man plays with a firework in the Pardisan Park in Tehran, Iran.
An Iranian woman lights fireworks during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast,  marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran.
An Iranian woman lights fireworks during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran.
An Iranian boy holds a firework in the Pardisan Park in Tehran, Iran.
An Iranian boy holds a firework in the Pardisan Park in Tehran, Iran.
An Iranian woman jumps over a bonfire in the Pardisan Park in Tehran, Iran.
An Iranian woman jumps over a bonfire in the Pardisan Park in Tehran, Iran.

Nowruz is the Iranian New Year or Persian New Year celebrated in Central Asia and in Iran. It marks the first day of spring and the beginning of the year on the Iranian calendar, which occurs exactly on the Spring Equinox. Nowruz usually takes place on March 21 or the previous/following day depending on where it is observed.

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