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| Millions marking spring festival | Millions marking spring festival |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Tens of millions of people are celebrating Nowruz, a spring festival believed to have originated thousands of years ago in ancient Persia. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | Price rises |
| In Iran, schools close down for several weeks, people buy presents and special foods, observe specific rituals, and visit friends and family. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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. | "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 | Tensions |
| Nowruz is also New Year for Iraq's Kurds, many of whom head to the countryside or mountains to picnic. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Are you taking part in Nowruz celebrations? Tell us how you are marking the event - and send us your photos. | |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Click here to see terms and conditions | |
| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | |