At least thousands of people celebrated newroz or the Persian new year. In the semi-autonomous, Kurdish region of Northern Iraq on Monday (20/3/2023).
Both men and women in the Northern Kurdish town of Akre, welcomed in the new year by lighting torches and climbing up a mountain for a fireworks display.
This festivity is celebrated by the Kurds in Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Syria, it symbolises the passing of the dark season and the arrival of the season of light or also known as the season of spring.
To the kurds, this festivity has political and cultural significance, amid their struggle to have their own autonomous nation.
The holiday, which dates back to at least 1700 b.c and incorporates ancient zoroastrian traditions is the most important event in the Iranian calendar and for Kurds in the region.
