Anniversary or Circus?

Iranians mark the 22nd of Bahman (or February 11) in a variety of ways. As the Islamic Republic News Agency reports, the anniversary of the revolution is an occasion to display pure patriotism, and people wave flags and photographs of Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic, and the current Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.

But for some it’s a chance to go a little wild, and to take advantage of the holiday spirit. It’s become a bit of a circus or a clownish carnivalesque, with games on the street and people donning weird and off-the-wall costumes and masquerade-inspired attire  — and even outfits that might get them arrested on any other day of the year. The regime sponsors the patriotism of course, setting out a very strict program for people to follow. But it also tries to manufacture the fun aspect of the celebrations — often attracting mockery from the public, who is all too aware that at other times of the year, public spaces are never used for fun or displays of happiness. 

Photos: Iranian Students News Agency and Iranian Labour News Agency