Defiance against the rules of the clerical government has been on display in recent months as Iranians look for opportunities to express themselves. During Tuesday night’s annual fire festival, many seized the chance.
Videos on social media and interviews with Iranians revealed that thousands of men and women across Iran filled the streets, dancing wildly to music and joyfully jumping over large bonfires. The large crowds in Tehran and other cities caused traffic standstills and transportation difficulties, according to Iranian news reports.
Dancing, especially when men and women participate together, is prohibited in public in Iran and has traditionally been a form of protest.
In many places, the gatherings became political, with chants like “Freedom, freedom, freedom,” “Death to the dictator,” and “Get lost, clerics” heard from the crowds. Videos showed a crowd in the city of Rasht booing security officers on motorcycles as they passed by.
The celebrations were part of the ancient Persian tradition of Chaharshanbeh Suri, marking the upcoming new year, Nowruz, on the first day of spring. The ritual of jumping over fire on the eve of the last Wednesday of the year is meant to cleanse the spirit and prepare for the new year.
The dancing crowds showcased how a significant portion of Iranian society, especially the youth, has distanced itself from the ruling clerics. A video from BBC Persian captured a narrator in Karaj expressing hopes for the toppling of the Islamic Republic amid the festive atmosphere.
Following the 1979 revolution, the new clerical rulers established an Islamic theocracy and discouraged Persian celebrations like Chaharshanbeh Suri. Despite this, Iranians continued to observe the ritual as an integral part of their culture.
Nahid Siamdoust, an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Austin, noted the political nature of Persian celebrations and gatherings, which often feature anti-government slogans, reflecting a societal unity against state-imposed culture.
In various locations, people danced and sang to Persian pop songs, defying laws such as the mandatory hijab. Videos on social media and BBC Persian captured the vibrant and rebellious spirit of the celebrations.
Participants sang “For Women, for Life, for Freedom” from the anthem “Baraye,” symbolizing solidarity with the female-led uprising. The singer Shervin Hajipour, known for the song, was recently sentenced to prison in Iran. Singing his song during the festivities was a way for Iranians to show support.
Social media reports mentioned sporadic clashes between crowds and security forces. One video showed forces dispersing a crowd in Tehran’s Narmak neighborhood by breaking windows of a cafe where people were dancing.
Each year, the celebrations lead to casualties due to mishandling of explosives and fireworks. Official media reports indicated that at least 14 people were killed and nearly 1,800 were injured from burns during this year’s festivities.
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