Nawroz refers to the celebration of the traditional Iranian new year holiday of Nowruz in Kurdish society. In Kurdish legend, the holiday celebrates the deliverance of the Kurds from a tyrant, and it is seen as another way of demonstrating support for the Kurdish cause.The celebration coincides with the Northward equinox which falls mainly on 21 March and the festival is held usually between 18 and 24 March.
The festival currently has an important place in terms of Kurdish identity for the majority of Kurds, mostly in Iraq, Turkey and Syria.Though celebrations vary, people generally gather together to welcome the coming of spring; people wear coloured clothes and dance together.
The following pictures show the Kurds’ celebration of Nawruz on Sunday the 20th of March:
Photographer: Idris Maliti
