Thousands gathered in Iraq’s Kurdish region on Thursday to celebrate Nowruz, the festival that heralds the arrival of spring and the start of a new year.

Nowruz, deeply rooted in Persian and Iranian traditions, has spread beyond borders and is now embraced by diverse communities across the world.

In Akre, known as the “capital of Nowruz,” men and women carrying torches climbed the mountains as fireworks lit up the sky.

Falling on 21 March, Nowruz symbolises the shift from darkness to light. For Kurds, it carries deep political meaning, reflecting their cultural identity and long struggle for autonomy.

With over 20 million Kurds across Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Turkey, the festival remains a powerful emblem of unity.