Iran's fiery festival

Iranians light fireworks during a celebration, known as "Chaharshanbe Souri," or Wednesday Feast, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran, Iran, March 18, 2014.

The festival has been frowned upon by hard-liners since the 1979 Islamic revolution because they consider it a symbol of Zoroastrianism, one of Iran’s ancient religions of Iranians. They say it goes against Islamic traditions.

Tehran

Iranians release a lit lantern during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran, March 18, 2014.

March 21, the first day of spring, marks Nowruz, the beginning of the year 1393 on the Persian calendar.

Tehran

Iranians dance around a bonfire during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran, March 18, 2014.

Tehran

An Iranian woman jumps over bonfires during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran, March 18, 2014.

Tehran

An Iranian woman lights fireworks during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran, March 18, 2014.

Tehran

Two Iranian women jump over a bonfire during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran, March 18, 2014.

Tehran

Iranians dance during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran, March 18, 2014.

Tehran

An Iranian woman jumps over a lit firework during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran, March 18, 2014.

Tehran

In this picture taken on Tuesday, , Iranian young adults jump over a bonfire during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran, March 18, 2014

Tehran

Two Iranian men light fireworks during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran, March 18, 2014.

Tehran

Iranians jump over bonfires during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran, March 18, 2014.

Tehran

An Iranian woman jumps over bonfires during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran, March 18, 2014.

Tehran

Iranians release a lit lantern during a celebration, known as “Chaharshanbe Souri,” or Wednesday Feast, marking the eve of the last Wednesday of the solar Persian year, in Pardisan park, Tehran, March 18, 2014.