People across Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East are celebrating Norouz, the Persian New Year, which marks the coming of spring. In Tajikistan, Norouz means four days of festivities, food, and music. (Photos by RFE/RL's Tajik Service)
Tajikistan Welcomes Spring With Norouz Festivities
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Tajiks are celebrating Norouz, the Persian New Year, which marks the beginning of spring. In the capital Dushanbe, children gather at an outdoor fair with traditional food.
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Sprouted wheat, grown in dishes ahead of Norouz, is one of the symbols of spring rebirth.
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Girls in the city of Khorugh show off their wheat sprouts.
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Other Norouz symbols set out on a table must include seven foods beginning with the letter S.
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Women wear traditional dress in the mountainous Badakhshan region, bordering Afghanistan.
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Green is a favorite Norouz color, symbolizing spring.
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In Khorugh, women play a type of drum known as doira.
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