People celebrate Nowruz, the Persian new year in Akre, in the Duhok province of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on 20 March 2023. The Persian New Year is an ancient Zoroastrian tradition celebrated by Iranians and Kurds, which coincides with the spring equinox. Despite rain and storms, this year over 100,000 people travelled to Akre - considered the capital of Nowruz - to enjoy the festivities. Families gather to share meals, dressing in their best traditional Kurdish clothing. Kurdish music is played in the streets, a 100m Kurdistan flag was draped from the top of the Seri Kale mountain, and fireworks are set off continuously throughout the day. At dusk, Kurds carry flaming torches up Seri Kale mountain as a huge fireworks display and light show takes place in the town centre.
