In Pictures: Iran celebrates ancient fire festival ahead of Persian New Year

The festivities come as tensions with the US soar.

By contributor Vahid Salemi, Associated Press

Published Just now

A man holds a flare — Chaharshanbe Souri is an ancient festival of fire (AP)

Iran has marked its annual fire festival.

Known as “Chaharshanbe Souri” in Farsi, the ancient festival comes on the last Tuesday of the year, ahead of Nowruz, the Persian New Year (March 20).

An Iranian woman jumps over a bonfire celebrating Chaharshanbe Souri — Singing and dancing can be seen on the streets of Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP)

Iranian New Year Fire Festival — The festival celebrates the arrival of spring as part of the Persian New Year (Vahid Salemi/AP)

Others jump over and around fires, chanting: “My yellow is yours, your red is mine,” invoking the replacement of ills with warmth and energy.

The fire festival also features an Iranian version of trick-or-treating, with people going door to door and being given a holiday mix of nuts and berries, as well as buckets of water.

A glowing bonfire — Bonfires, fireworks and a form of trick-or-treating take place during the festival (AP)

The joy sometimes overcomes safety concerns as smoke fills the air and fireworks explode at random overhead.

There are injuries every year, and sometimes deaths.

Iran New Year — People shop for the Persian new year, or Nowruz, the most important holiday for Iranians (Vahid Salemi/AP)