The photo is depicting a little girl standing by a statue of Haji Firuz who appears on the streets this time of the year with his face covered in soot. Wearing red clothes Haji Firuz dances through the streets while singing and playing a tambourine.

The photo was taken on the sidelines of Amu Noruz national festival celebrated in the city of Qazvin on Wednesday, heralding the arrival of the Iranian New Year holidays, Noruz, starting March 21.

Amu Noruz (uncle Noruz) is a fictional figure in the Iranian folklore who appears at the beginning of spring, together with his companion Haji Firuz.
 
MQ/MG