The streets of Spain were filled with smoke and glowing embers as the mountain village of San Bartolome de Pinares, west of Madrid, celebrated the Las Luminarias festival. Horses emerged from the darkness into the flames at full gallop in the purification ceremony. What other countries have celebrated age-old traditions? From under-water dances to a Lunar New Year … It’s the most influential photos of the week.

Hundreds of trans rights campaigners congregate outside UK government’s Edinburgh headquarters as they demand gender reform. The protest taking place outside Queen Elizabeth House was organised in response to Tory ministers blocking Scotland’s gender recognition reforms from becoming a law. Under the new Bill, which passed in Scotland, trans people no longer need to be diagnosed with gender dysphoria to acquire a gender recognition certificate. The UK government’s move has been labelled an attack against trans rights.

Celebrations were underway in Chinatown and West London to bring in the Chinese New Year, which took place on January 22. The London Chinatown Chinese Association celebrated the year of the rabbit by featuring the vibrant Chinese New Year parade and one-day festival in Trafalgar Square. People celebrate by enjoying the delicious Chinese street food that features dumplings and Peking duck. The Chinese New Year events in London are the largest outside of Asia as they attract thousands of visitors a year.

A sculpture of the extraordinary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama has been displayed outside Louis Vuitton’s flagship stores in Paris, London, New York and Tokyo. This comes a decade after the brand first collaborated with the contemporary artist. Known for her dazzling sculptures and immersive installations, ‘the princess of polka dots’ brings colour by injecting a polka-dot frenzy into stores.

In orthodox churches, Epiphany, known as ‘The Feast of the Holy Theophany’, is one of three major Orthodox Christian celebrations alongside Christmas and Easter. The Epiphany - which is celebrated on January 19 - symbolises the baptism of Jesus, as well as the arrival of one of one of the Three Wise Men. To commemorate the holiday, ceremonies take place in rivers, beaches and lakes as Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist in the River Jordan.

More than 10,000 people rally Israel’s capital Tel Aviv to protest against the Nethanyahu government. Campaigners march against Justice Minister Yariv Levin’s planned judicial overhaul, fearing it could undermine Israeli democracy.

A Malaysian aquarium held an underwater lion dance ahead of the Lunar New Year festival, which took place on January 22. Turtles, fish and other sea life swam around divers as they made a splash on January 20. A diver dressed in a sea lion costume performs an acrobatic jump before landing on the sandy floor in the water tank.

Local Mexicans bring their pets to mass for the feast day for San Antonio Abad. Creatures great and small are welcome to the event as dedication to Saint Anthony the Abbott, known as the protector of animals. The age-old tradition from colonial times takes place every January 17 at Mexico City’s Metropolitan Cathedral. People commemorate the event by dressing in special clothing and wearing flowers in their hair.

Workers in Lima are marching in protest to demand the resignation of President Dina Boluarte. The General Confederation of Peruvian Workers - which is leading the strike - has also demanded general elections as well as a Constituent Assembly. The army have had to intervene to maintain order.

Thousands of ambulance workers held another strike on January 23 across England and Wales, amid a dispute over pay and staffing. NHS nurses have also launched strike action as staff struggle to cope with the cost of living crisis. Over 2,600 ambulance workers went on strike as the they tried to get the government to negotiate pay.

Thousands of women gather during the National Women’s March in Madison, Wisconsin to mark the 50th anniversary of the Roe vs Wade ruling in 1973, when the US Supreme Court decided to grant federal protection for abortion rights. Anti-abortion protesters celebrate as the law was overturned last year.