Millions marking spring festival

By Pam O'Toole BBC News

New Year is a popular time to eat nuts and fruit

Tens of millions of people are celebrating Nowruz, a spring festival believed to have originated thousands of years ago in ancient Persia.

Nowruz, which means new day in Farsi, marks the solar New Year and the beginning of the calendar year in Iran.

It is the country's biggest holiday of the year.

But it is celebrated across a vast region, from largely Kurdish areas of northern Iraq and Turkey, to Central Asian countries and Western China.

Price rises

In Iran, schools close down for several weeks, people buy presents and special foods, observe specific rituals, and visit friends and family.

This year, Iran's oil ministry has given the country's motorists - hard-pressed by petrol rationing for the past nine months - a special Nowruz gift, allowing them to buy extra petrol during the holiday period, albeit at higher prices.

Many Afghans take time out to go to funfairs

Azerbaijan is one of a number of former Soviet states to have recognised Nowruz as a holiday and enthusiastically embraced its traditions.

But in Baku, steep prices rises over recent months have left some Nowruz shoppers struggling.

"Just before the holidays, prices are going up, but we have to buy food for the celebrations, we have no choice," one Iranian woman said.

"Maybe the traders have to buy at a higher price and so they have to sell us their products at more expensive prices too," she said.

Tensions

Nowruz is also New Year for Iraq's Kurds, many of whom head to the countryside or mountains to picnic.

But it is often a more tense affair in neighbouring Turkey.

Known there as Newrouz, it has traditionally become a time when some Turkish Kurds to take to the streets to demonstrate support for the armed Kurdish militant group, the PKK - something which has often provoked violent clashes with Turkish security forces.

Meanwhile, in Afghanistan, the main Nowruz ceremonies will be taking place amid tight security, following the increasing violence of the past year.

But many Afghans will also use the time to watch traditional buzkashi matches or camel fights, go to funfairs, attend picnics, or listen to special Nowruz music.

Some of your comments:

Nowruz is such a wonderful time of the year and it brings back wonderful memories of my childhood especially when we used to go on outings with the family in south west Pakistan. In recent years, with the spill over effect from neighbooring Afghanistan, the Nowruz festivals have definately been toned down but nonetheless the tradition of Nowruz is still alive and we wont allow militants to suppress this ancient cultural tradition of the Pakistani people which has been practiced for thousands of years. At this time of year, I wish for peace, prosperity and unity for all my Pakistani countrymen and hope we can enjoy the festivities of the Nowruz season together in harmony. Amen
gohar ilahi, Islamabad

Happy newroz to everyone around the globe, and may 2708 (Kurdis calander year) bring peace and harmony everywhere. Nowroz piroz.
kaz bahjat, U.K

Unfortunately I will not be taking part in the traditional nowruz celebrations this year as my husband has gone to visit his family and friends in Iran. It seems strange not having the 'haftseen' in my house this year but I will be thinking about him and hope he is enjoying his time with his family - if anyone reads this from England Shahab and Jane Nassimi wish everyone a very happy and prosperous new year.
Jane Nassimi, Sheffield

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