Iraq’s Spring Day: March 20
Spring Day is a public holiday in Iraq.
Spring Day or Nowruz, the traditional Iranian New Year, is celebrated in Iraq by the Iraqi Kurdistan. The Kurdistan Region is an autonomous region in northern Iraq bordering Turkey (north), Syria (west), and Iran (east).
History of Iraq’s Spring Day
The people in the Kurdish region are of Iranian descent. They are scattered in areas in northern part of Iraq. Iran also has a high concentration of Kurds mainly in the northwest along with Syria in the north and parts of western Turkey. A small number of Kurdish people are also present in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Israel, Lebanon, Russia, and other western countries such as the United States of America.
This apparent descent and cultural likeness of the Kurds with the Iranians made the Kurds to celebrate the same occasion during the month of March which the Iraqi Kurdistan celebrate on the 21st of March. Since the day of the celebration is based on Iranian Calendar, the date may vary either on the 21st of March or a day before or after that.
Nowruz is a traditional Zoroastrian holiday, the first monotheistic religion established in the world. In Iraq, it is called Spring’s Day since the celebration falls in the spring season. In Iraqi Kurdistan region, the Nowruz is considered to be the start or the first day of spring.
Some of the most notable Kurdish personalities are Rahim Moeini, Darin Zanyar, Jalal Talabani, Bahman Ghobadi, Feleknas Uca, Azad Azadpour, among others.
Iraq’s Spring Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities
Important activities, such as jumping over the fire and dancing with accompanying traditional and modern music, are some of the fun and exciting activities seen in the street during the holiday. The people wear their best clothes during this occasion especially the women who wear colorful clothes. For more information on the holdiday, see Nau-Roz Bayrami in Iran.
