Horse and Twilight

I took this photo in a little village outside Arak, Iran. This part of the country is full of old traditions, but they especially shine during the holiday called Ashura. For this festival, people usually have different rituals, and in this village, they have one unique tradition – they take care of horses.

This picture was taken in the evening of the day before the holiday. The whole village was preparing for the long-awaited event. The atmosphere was solemn and mysterious because the festival is dedicated to a solemn historical event and marks the beginning of the annual ceremonies. The sunset in the background creates a sad and emotional mood, while the faces of the village people express devotion and dedication.

The holiday of Ashura is celebrated in many places around the world. In Iran, this holiday is associated with numerous local traditions that vary from town to town and from village to village. In this village, the local people are preparing for the festival by reenacting the historical battle at Karbala. This ancient tradition is part of the holiday since it symbolizes the importance of remembering the past and its impact on the present. They use horses to show the legacy of the battle and the impact it has on the locals.