DEC. 25 - 31, 2021

From a traditional festival in Spain, to memorials for Archbishop Desmond Tutu in South Africa, to Christmas and New Year's celebrations globally, this photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images from around the world made or published by The Associated Press in the past week.

More Images
Revellers take part in the Els Enfarinats festival in the town of Ibi near Alicante, Spain, Tuesday Dec. 28, 2021. For about 200-years the inhabitants of Ibi annually celebrate with a battle using flour, eggs and firecrackers, outside the city town hall. (AP PhotoAlberto Saiz)

DEC. 25 - 31, 2021

Shamans hold photos of U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a year-end ritual where they predict political and social issues expected to occur in next year in Lima, Peru, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. The shamans made symbolic payment to Mother Earth while asking that the COVID-19 pandemic come to an end and that world leaders be cleansed so they can make wise decisions in the coming year. (AP PhotoGuadalupe Pardo)

Follow AP visual journalism:

Homes burn as wildfires rip through a housing development Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Superior, Colo. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Homes burn as wildfires rip through a housing development Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Superior, Colo. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Worshippers attend a memorial service for Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu at the St. Mary's Cathedral in Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Tutu, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial equality and LGBT rights died Sunday at the age of 90. (AP PhotoShiraaz Mohamed)

Worshippers attend a memorial service for Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu at the St. Mary's Cathedral in Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Tutu, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial equality and LGBT rights died Sunday at the age of 90. (AP PhotoShiraaz Mohamed)

Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa is lit up in purple on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in memory of Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu. South Africa's president says Tutu, South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial justice and LGBT rights and the retired Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, has died at the age of 90. (AP Photo)

Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa is lit up in purple on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in memory of Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu. South Africa's president says Tutu, South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial justice and LGBT rights and the retired Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, has died at the age of 90. (AP Photo)

Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard at a checkpoint in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)

Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard at a checkpoint in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)

Homeless children stand in a queue to receive a morning meal from Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Saint Teresa, at its headquarters in Kolkata, India, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (AP PhotoBikas Das)

Homeless children stand in a queue to receive a morning meal from Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Saint Teresa, at its headquarters in Kolkata, India, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (AP PhotoBikas Das)

Simon Ammann of Switzerland soars through the air at the first stage of the 70th Four Hills ski jumping tournament in Oberstdorf, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)

Simon Ammann of Switzerland soars through the air at the first stage of the 70th Four Hills ski jumping tournament in Oberstdorf, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)

Stand News Editor Patrick Lam, center, is escorted by police officers into a van after they searched evidence at his office in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. Hong Kong police raided the office of the online news outlet on Wednesday after arresting several people for conspiracy to publish a seditious publication. (AP PhotoVincent Yu)

Stand News Editor Patrick Lam, center, is escorted by police officers into a van after they searched evidence at his office in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. Hong Kong police raided the office of the online news outlet on Wednesday after arresting several people for conspiracy to publish a seditious publication. (AP PhotoVincent Yu)

In this undated photo issued on Thursday Dec. 23, 2021, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II records her annual Christmas broadcast in Windsor Castle, Windsor, England. The photograph at left shows the queen and Prince Philip taken in 2007 at Broadlands to mark their diamond wedding anniversary. (Victoria JonesPool via AP)

In this undated photo issued on Thursday Dec. 23, 2021, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II records her annual Christmas broadcast in Windsor Castle, Windsor, England. The photograph at left shows the queen and Prince Philip taken in 2007 at Broadlands to mark their diamond wedding anniversary. (Victoria JonesPool via AP)

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa leads a Christmas midnight Mass in the Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. (Mussa QawasmaPool Photo via AP)

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa leads a Christmas midnight Mass in the Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. (Mussa QawasmaPool Photo via AP)

Alona Nacua, right, stands with her son as she looks at their damaged house due to Typhoon Rai in Cebu city, central Philippines on Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. Nacua said she and her husband managed to receive rice and four small cans of sardines and corned beef so they could feed their family Saturday. "It's the saddest Christmas for me, seeing my children suffer this way on this day," added Nacua, who is pregnant. (AP PhotoJay Labra)

Alona Nacua, right, stands with her son as she looks at their damaged house due to Typhoon Rai in Cebu city, central Philippines on Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. Nacua said she and her husband managed to receive rice and four small cans of sardines and corned beef so they could feed their family Saturday. "It's the saddest Christmas for me, seeing my children suffer this way on this day," added Nacua, who is pregnant. (AP PhotoJay Labra)

A devotee carries offerings for Yemanja to be sent out to sea during a ceremony honoring the deity celebrated by the African Yoruba religion, on Icarai beach in Niteroi, Brazil, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. Brazilian worshippers celebrate Yemanja, goddess of the sea, offering flowers and launching large and small boats into the ocean in exchange for blessings for the coming year. (AP PhotoBruna Prado)

A devotee carries offerings for Yemanja to be sent out to sea during a ceremony honoring the deity celebrated by the African Yoruba religion, on Icarai beach in Niteroi, Brazil, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. Brazilian worshippers celebrate Yemanja, goddess of the sea, offering flowers and launching large and small boats into the ocean in exchange for blessings for the coming year. (AP PhotoBruna Prado)

Catholic clergy pray during a service for St. Stephen's Day at the Beit Jamal Monastery near Beit Shemesh, Israel, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. In many countries, Dec. 26 commemorates the life of St. Stephen, a Christian deacon in Jerusalem who is known for his work with the poor and revered as the first Christian martyr. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Catholic clergy pray during a service for St. Stephen's Day at the Beit Jamal Monastery near Beit Shemesh, Israel, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. In many countries, Dec. 26 commemorates the life of St. Stephen, a Christian deacon in Jerusalem who is known for his work with the poor and revered as the first Christian martyr. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Women wearing face masks to help protect from the coronavirus walk by an art installation depicting a prosperity chamber on display outside a mall in Beijing, Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. (AP PhotoAndy Wong)

Women wearing face masks to help protect from the coronavirus walk by an art installation depicting a prosperity chamber on display outside a mall in Beijing, Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. (AP PhotoAndy Wong)

Tottenham's Lucas Moura (27) scores his team's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane in London, England, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. (AP PhotoAlastair Grant)

Tottenham's Lucas Moura (27) scores his team's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane in London, England, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. (AP PhotoAlastair Grant)

Oklahoma players celebrate a win over Oregon in the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Oklahoma players celebrate a win over Oregon in the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pope Francis addresses the crowd before delivering the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for 'to the city and to the world' ) Christmas Day blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)

Pope Francis addresses the crowd before delivering the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for 'to the city and to the world' ) Christmas Day blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)

Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple at the Acropolis hill during New Year's celebrations in Athens, Greece, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple at the Acropolis hill during New Year's celebrations in Athens, Greece, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

The selection was curated by AP photo editor Pamela Hassell in New York.

Revellers take part in the Els Enfarinats festival in the town of Ibi near Alicante, Spain, Tuesday Dec. 28, 2021. For about 200-years the inhabitants of Ibi annually celebrate with a battle using flour, eggs and firecrackers, outside the city town hall. (AP PhotoAlberto Saiz)

Revellers take part in the Els Enfarinats festival in the town of Ibi near Alicante, Spain, Tuesday Dec. 28, 2021. For about 200-years the inhabitants of Ibi annually celebrate with a battle using flour, eggs and firecrackers, outside the city town hall. (AP PhotoAlberto Saiz)

Follow AP visual journalism:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews

AP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_Images

AP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.com/

Shamans hold photos of U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a year-end ritual where they predict political and social issues expected to occur in next year in Lima, Peru, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. The shamans made symbolic payment to Mother Earth while asking that the COVID-19 pandemic come to an end and that world leaders be cleansed so they can make wise decisions in the coming year. (AP PhotoGuadalupe Pardo)

Shamans hold photos of U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a year-end ritual where they predict political and social issues expected to occur in next year in Lima, Peru, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. The shamans made symbolic payment to Mother Earth while asking that the COVID-19 pandemic come to an end and that world leaders be cleansed so they can make wise decisions in the coming year. (AP PhotoGuadalupe Pardo)

Homes burn as wildfires rip through a housing development Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Superior, Colo. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Homes burn as wildfires rip through a housing development Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021, in Superior, Colo. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)

Worshippers attend a memorial service for Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu at the St. Mary's Cathedral in Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Tutu, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial equality and LGBT rights died Sunday at the age of 90. (AP PhotoShiraaz Mohamed)

Worshippers attend a memorial service for Anglican Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu at the St. Mary's Cathedral in Johannesburg, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. Tutu, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial equality and LGBT rights died Sunday at the age of 90. (AP PhotoShiraaz Mohamed)

Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa is lit up in purple on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in memory of Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu. South Africa's president says Tutu, South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial justice and LGBT rights and the retired Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, has died at the age of 90. (AP Photo)

Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa is lit up in purple on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in memory of Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu. South Africa's president says Tutu, South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize-winning activist for racial justice and LGBT rights and the retired Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, has died at the age of 90. (AP Photo)

Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard at a checkpoint in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)

Indian paramilitary soldiers stand guard at a checkpoint in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021. (AP PhotoMukhtar Khan)

Homeless children stand in a queue to receive a morning meal from Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Saint Teresa, at its headquarters in Kolkata, India, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (AP PhotoBikas Das)

Homeless children stand in a queue to receive a morning meal from Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Saint Teresa, at its headquarters in Kolkata, India, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (AP PhotoBikas Das)

Simon Ammann of Switzerland soars through the air at the first stage of the 70th Four Hills ski jumping tournament in Oberstdorf, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)

Simon Ammann of Switzerland soars through the air at the first stage of the 70th Four Hills ski jumping tournament in Oberstdorf, Germany, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021. (AP PhotoMatthias Schrader)

Stand News Editor Patrick Lam, center, is escorted by police officers into a van after they searched evidence at his office in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. Hong Kong police raided the office of the online news outlet on Wednesday after arresting several people for conspiracy to publish a seditious publication. (AP PhotoVincent Yu)

Stand News Editor Patrick Lam, center, is escorted by police officers into a van after they searched evidence at his office in Hong Kong, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. Hong Kong police raided the office of the online news outlet on Wednesday after arresting several people for conspiracy to publish a seditious publication. (AP PhotoVincent Yu)

In this undated photo issued on Thursday Dec. 23, 2021, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II records her annual Christmas broadcast in Windsor Castle, Windsor, England. The photograph at left shows the queen and Prince Philip taken in 2007 at Broadlands to mark their diamond wedding anniversary. (Victoria JonesPool via AP)

In this undated photo issued on Thursday Dec. 23, 2021, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II records her annual Christmas broadcast in Windsor Castle, Windsor, England. The photograph at left shows the queen and Prince Philip taken in 2007 at Broadlands to mark their diamond wedding anniversary. (Victoria JonesPool via AP)

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa leads a Christmas midnight Mass in the Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. (Mussa QawasmaPool Photo via AP)

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa leads a Christmas midnight Mass in the Church of the Nativity, in the West Bank town of Bethlehem Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. (Mussa QawasmaPool Photo via AP)

Alona Nacua, right, stands with her son as she looks at their damaged house due to Typhoon Rai in Cebu city, central Philippines on Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. Nacua said she and her husband managed to receive rice and four small cans of sardines and corned beef so they could feed their family Saturday. "It's the saddest Christmas for me, seeing my children suffer this way on this day," added Nacua, who is pregnant. (AP PhotoJay Labra)

Alona Nacua, right, stands with her son as she looks at their damaged house due to Typhoon Rai in Cebu city, central Philippines on Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. Nacua said she and her husband managed to receive rice and four small cans of sardines and corned beef so they could feed their family Saturday. "It's the saddest Christmas for me, seeing my children suffer this way on this day," added Nacua, who is pregnant. (AP PhotoJay Labra)

A devotee carries offerings for Yemanja to be sent out to sea during a ceremony honoring the deity celebrated by the African Yoruba religion, on Icarai beach in Niteroi, Brazil, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. Brazilian worshippers celebrate Yemanja, goddess of the sea, offering flowers and launching large and small boats into the ocean in exchange for blessings for the coming year. (AP PhotoBruna Prado)

A devotee carries offerings for Yemanja to be sent out to sea during a ceremony honoring the deity celebrated by the African Yoruba religion, on Icarai beach in Niteroi, Brazil, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. Brazilian worshippers celebrate Yemanja, goddess of the sea, offering flowers and launching large and small boats into the ocean in exchange for blessings for the coming year. (AP PhotoBruna Prado)

Catholic clergy pray during a service for St. Stephen's Day at the Beit Jamal Monastery near Beit Shemesh, Israel, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. In many countries, Dec. 26 commemorates the life of St. Stephen, a Christian deacon in Jerusalem who is known for his work with the poor and revered as the first Christian martyr. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Catholic clergy pray during a service for St. Stephen's Day at the Beit Jamal Monastery near Beit Shemesh, Israel, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. In many countries, Dec. 26 commemorates the life of St. Stephen, a Christian deacon in Jerusalem who is known for his work with the poor and revered as the first Christian martyr. (AP PhotoOded Balilty)

Women wearing face masks to help protect from the coronavirus walk by an art installation depicting a prosperity chamber on display outside a mall in Beijing, Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. (AP PhotoAndy Wong)

Women wearing face masks to help protect from the coronavirus walk by an art installation depicting a prosperity chamber on display outside a mall in Beijing, Monday, Dec. 27, 2021. (AP PhotoAndy Wong)

Tottenham's Lucas Moura (27) scores his team's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane in London, England, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. (AP PhotoAlastair Grant)

Tottenham's Lucas Moura (27) scores his team's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane in London, England, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021. (AP PhotoAlastair Grant)

Oklahoma players celebrate a win over Oregon in the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Oklahoma players celebrate a win over Oregon in the Alamo Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP PhotoEric Gay)

Pope Francis addresses the crowd before delivering the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for 'to the city and to the world' ) Christmas Day blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)

Pope Francis addresses the crowd before delivering the Urbi et Orbi (Latin for 'to the city and to the world' ) Christmas Day blessing from the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021. (AP PhotoGregorio Borgia)

Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple at the Acropolis hill during New Year's celebrations in Athens, Greece, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

Fireworks explode over the ancient Parthenon temple at the Acropolis hill during New Year's celebrations in Athens, Greece, Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. (AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)