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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| CNN: There’s no violence in Iran now - Its only the "Fire Festival" |
| 2004-03-18 |
| They have been bought off - just like they were by Sammy. They are afraid to report the truth because they will get booted out of the country. Iranians celebrate fire festival Iranians danced in the street, threw firecrackers and jumped over bonfires Tuesday night as authorities openly tolerated an ancient fire festival for the first time in 25 years. Halted each year since the 1979 Islamic revolution because hardliners considered it un-Islamic, the Chaharshanbeh Suri, or Red Wednesday, festival was officially recognized in Tehran where the city council set aside dozens of parks for people to enjoy the boisterous celebrations. Tens of thousands packed the streets of the capital hurling firecrackers into the air to mark the eve of the last Wednesday of the Iranian calendar year. The festival dates back centuries to pre-Islamic times and is thought to be derived from Zoroastrian traditions which accord special properties to fire. |
| Posted by:Yosemite Sam |
| #9 For a little historical background, March 25 used to be New Year's Day in the western world, even though the calendar started on Jan. 1. In the old way, today would be March 18 2003/2004, depending on when you started your year. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2004-3-18 8:32:14 PM |
| #8 Can't wait for the mullah-pinata festival! |
| Posted by: eLarson 2004-3-18 4:54:18 PM |
| #7 I wonder if CNN is spinnig this so they retain "access" |
| Posted by: Cheddarhead 2004-3-18 4:49:23 PM |
| #6 It's not pagan its a Zooroastrian tradition. Same thing: pagan adj 1. Not Christian, Muslim, or Jewish. |
| Posted by: Robert Crawford 2004-3-18 11:54:19 AM |
| #5 is the fire festival as fun and deadly as the Pakistani kite flying festival? I'd steer clear if it were. Seriously though fuckin firecrackers eh, wonder if they'll claim Syria to is swept by this firecracker 'craze'? |
| Posted by: Jon Shep U.K 2004-3-18 11:39:00 AM |
| #4 It's not pagan its a Zooroastrian tradition. Before the mullahs, you would go and buy tumbleweed at lots throughout the country. Similar to the way you buy pumpkins or xmas trees here. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2004-3-18 11:34:43 AM |
| #3 A pagan fire festival in Iran, the land of the fundy Ayatolyasos? What is the sound of one mind boggling? |
| Posted by: mojo 2004-3-18 11:24:50 AM |
| #2 B, that was me but here's a surprize today, the Telegraph is reporting the uprising in Syria http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/03/18/wkurd18.xml&sSheet=/news |
| Posted by: mhw 2004-3-18 11:13:29 AM |
| #1 When someone commented yesterday that they didn't report on the riots and instead reported on firecrackers going off, I thought it was a joke. Well, it is a joke...but I thought it was ..you know ....sarcasm...not real. Intead, it is absolutely unreal! |
| Posted by: B 2004-3-18 10:52:49 AM |