Iranians Defy Government Rules in Annual Fire Festival
In a bold display of defiance against the rules of the clerical government, thousands of Iranians took to the streets on Tuesday night for the annual fire festival, known as Chaharshanbeh Suri. Despite the ban on public dancing, men and women danced wildly to music and jumped over large bonfires, celebrating the ancient Persian tradition before the upcoming new year, Nowruz.
Videos on social media captured the joyous scenes as crowds in Tehran and other cities chanted slogans like “Freedom, freedom, freedom” and “Death to the dictator.” The gatherings turned political in many places, with participants expressing their discontent with the ruling clerics by chanting anti-government slogans.
The celebrations also served as a platform for solidarity with singer and songwriter Shervin Hajipour, who was recently sentenced to prison in Iran. People sang his anthem “Baraye” as a way to show support and unity.
Despite the festive atmosphere, there were reports of clashes between the crowds and security forces. In some instances, forces dispersed the gatherings by smashing windows and using force to control the crowds.
Unfortunately, the celebrations also led to casualties, with at least 14 people reported dead and nearly 1,800 injured from burns due to unsafe handling of homemade explosives and fireworks.
The defiance displayed during the fire festival highlights the growing discontent among a large part of Iran’s society, particularly the youth, towards the ruling clerics. The celebrations have become inherently political, providing an opportunity for Iranians to express their opposition to the government-imposed restrictions on their cultural traditions.
