Photos: Celebrating Nowruz: Ancient festival marks arrival of spring
Nowruz: An ancient festival celebrated by over 300 million people across various regions.
- Bilawal Riaz
- 1 min read

The ancient festival of Nowruz, meaning “new day,” symbolising the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, is celebrated by more than 300 million people across regions such as the Balkans, the Black Sea basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Rooted in Zoroastrianism and occurring on the vernal equinox, Nowruz has been observed for over 3,000 years and is recognized by UNESCO as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage. Nations with strong Persian cultural links like Afghanistan, Iran, and others mark the occasion, with various festivities taking place during the 13-day celebration.