This week, Iran celebrates Chaharshanbe Souri — also known as the Festival of Fire.
The ancient holiday has been celebrated since the Zoroastrian era, and perhaps even earlier. All over the country, participants celebrate by jumping over bonfires and fireworks as a symbolic purification for the oncoming spring and Persian New Year.
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The jubilant festivities take place on the last Tuesday of the solar year, and light up the night, casting a beautiful glow on revelers. We gathered up a few infectiously joyful photos from the event.
Take a look.
Men and women swing fireworks during the “Chaharshanbe Souri,” which is celebrated by groups of people in the Middle East, but particularly by Persians and other Iranian people.
Iranians dance around a bonfire during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” an annual fire festival in Iran marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year.
The Festival of Fire is a prelude to Nowruz, the Iranian New Year and first day of spring.
Iranians release a lit lantern during “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year.
Iranian men and women celebrate during the "Chaharshanbe Souri", or Wednesday Light.
An Iranian man lights fireworks during “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Light in Tehran, Iran.
Iranians jump over burning bonfires celebrating the arrival of spring which coincides with their new year, or Nowruz, which begins on March 21.
A young boy plays with a lit firework during “Chaharshanbe Souri,” an annual fire festival in Iran.
An Iranian woman jumps over a lit firework during a celebration, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year.
Two Iranians fly a wishing lantern in the Pardisan Park during "Chaharshanbe Souri", or Wednesday Light.
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