Bringing in the spring

Bringing in the spring

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With conflict and violence still festering in Afghanistan, it is rare for people in the war-torn country to have much to celebrate.

But March 21 was a time of festivities. It was the day Afghans gathered for Nawroz, also known as Persian New Year, a holiday that marks both the beginning of the Persian calendar and the first day of spring.

. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Huge crowds assembled in Kabul, and Afghan boys danced in the streets as part of the New Year festivities, which are celebrated in many countries in the region.

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An Afghan man prays in front of the Kart-e Sakhi mosque in Kabul during the celebrations.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

An Afghan man prays in front of the Kart-e Sakhi mosque in Kabul during the celebrations.

Afghans gather to watch men erect a flagpole topped with a bouquet of plastic flower as part of a ceremony intended to symbolise good fortune in the New Year.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Afghans gather to watch men erect a flagpole topped with a bouquet of plastic flower as part of a ceremony intended to symbolise good fortune in the New Year.

A man holds a holy flagpole.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

A man holds a holy flagpole.

A boy dances as the crowd around him claps.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

A boy dances as the crowd around him claps.

Children play on a Ferris wheel during the festivities.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail

Children play on a Ferris wheel during the festivities.

Afghan soldiers sit on a wall during the celebrations.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail

Afghan soldiers sit on a wall during the celebrations.

The flag of Afghanistan waves as crowds gather to mark the New Year.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

The flag of Afghanistan waves as crowds gather to mark the New Year.

People flock to the Kart-e Sakhi mosque to celebrate.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

People flock to the Kart-e Sakhi mosque to celebrate.

A group of Afghans ride on a horse and cart.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail

A group of Afghans ride on a horse and cart.

Heavily armed Afghan police keep watch during the celebrations.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Heavily armed Afghan police keep watch during the celebrations.

A little boy plays with two toy guns.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

A little boy plays with two toy guns.

Children smile as they ride on a Ferris wheel.
. KABUL, Afghanistan. REUTERS/Omar Sobhani

Children smile as they ride on a Ferris wheel.