This year, the first fire of Newroz, the Kurdish New Year celebrated at the spring equinox, was lit in the village of Hawraman in Rojhilat, Iranian Kurdistan, marking an important moment of cultural celebration and resistance.
Residents of the village, from children to the elderly, dressed in traditional attire and gathered en masse at the Newroz celebration site, demonstrating the unity and cultural pride of the community. The fire was lit by a group of young men and women who embodied the spirit of renewal and resistance that Newroz represents.
As the Newroz fire blazed, participants formed traditional dance circles around the flames, celebrating what is often referred to as the fire of freedom. This act of communal joy and resistance is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Kurdish people, who celebrate Newroz not only as the arrival of spring, but also as a symbol of their ongoing struggle for rights and recognition.
Newroz, which is observed on 21 March, is a centuries-old festival that marks the arrival of spring and a new year in many cultures across the Middle East and Central Asia. In the Kurdish tradition, it is also a day of political significance, representing the struggle against oppression and the hope for renewal and freedom. The early lighting of the Newroz fire in Iranian Kurdistan, particularly in the context of the Jin Jiyan Azadî movement, underlines the intertwined nature of cultural celebration and political expression in the region.
Hawraman, with its unique ancient architecture built to resemble an endless staircase to the rugged mountains, is one of the most impressive villages in Iran. The ancient holy sites of the Yarsan faith are also located in the region. During Newroz, Hawraman is transformed into a vibrant centre of Yarsanian and Kurdish culture. The festival, which symbolises rebirth and the triumph of light over darkness, is marked by traditional music, dancing and the lighting of fires – activities that resonate deeply with the Yarsan belief in renewal and the cyclical nature of life.
