Categories: World

Eleven dead and 3,500 injured in traditional fire festival in Iran

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The head of Iran’s emergency services, Jafar Miadfar, told state television on Wednesday that the number of casualties has been since February 20. Eleven people were killed on Wednesday night alone.

A festival from pre-Islamic times

During the festival, which is called Chaharsandbe Suri in Iran, people jump over fire. They want to use it to purify themselves and drive away evil spirits. They sing «I give you my yellow color. I’ll take your red paint.” The color yellow stands for disease, red for life.

The fire festival is celebrated every year on the night of the last Wednesday before the end of the Iranian year. It ends on March 20.

Since the fire festival has its roots in pre-Islamic times, it is viewed critically by the country’s Islamic leaders. But it is popular with young people. Many build their own fireworks for the event, often resulting in injury or even death.

(AFP)

Source: Blick

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