Norouz -- the Persian New Year holiday observed on the spring equinox -- is a celebration of love, fertility, and spiritual renewal that spreads a message of hope far and wide. It is observed in portions of the Middle East, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.
Norouz Celebrations Welcome Spring With Music, Food, And Fire
Despite heavy rain and cold temperatures, Norouz celebrations began at 3:30 a.m. on March 21 in Victory Park in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, with a large gathering of people who welcomed the spring equinox around a bonfire.
Though Norouz is often described as the Persian New Year, the holiday is celebrated throughout Western Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Black Sea Basin, the Balkans, and South Asia.
A horse-drawn carriage makes its way in front of a monument in Dushanbe during celebrations marking Norouz -- which means "new day" in the Persian language.
Women sing and play throughout the morning festivities in Dushanbe.
Women dressed in colorful attire perform during Norouz celebrations in Bishkek.
Musicians play traditional instruments in Bishkek.
An Afghan street vendor carries balloons for sale during Norouz celebrations in Kabul.
Afghans gather around the Sakhi Shah-e Mardan shrine as they celebrate the Persian New Year.
An Afghan worshipper visits the inside of the Sakhi Shah-e Mardan shrine.
A table with an arrangement of seven symbolic items, known as haft-sin, is displayed in the house of an Iranian family in Tehran.
A young girl performs for her family during festivities in Tehran.
The Persian New Year, which has been celebrated for at least 3,000 years, is one of the most important such holidays in the greater Persian world.