INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
When once again, Yalda Night is approaching as an event of heat, love, and togetherness valued by all fans of the Persian culture.The
festivity might have its roots in security versus evil forces when ancient people gathered to open fires and remain awake, ensuring safety
up until dawn.time, this progressed into a celebration of lights rebirth and products triumph over evil
From another point of view, the term Yalda implies birth, describing the birth of Mithra, the ancient Persian symbol of light and truth.Also
called Shab-e Yalda or Shab-e Chelleh, this ancient festival is hung on the winter season solstice, the longest and darkest night of the
This year, it falls on Friday night, December 20
Today, it stays a cherished event in Iran and beyond
Households prepare special meals and appreciate fruits, nuts, and sugary foods conserved specifically for this event
It is a time for delight, gratitude, and connection, marking the end of darkness and the start of light.On Yalda Night, families and friends
collect to light fires, share meals, and delight in fruits and nuts, especially watermelon and pomegranate
These red fruits symbolize the crimson shades of dawn and the hope of more vibrant days to come.Another cherished custom is the recitation
of poetry, particularly from the works of Hafez
Numerous family medicines fal-e Hafez, a type of prophecy using his verses
Senior family members also share stories and anecdotes, enriching the nights warm atmosphere.In 2022, UNESCO added Yalda Night to its
Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its significance as a foundation of Persian culture and
tradition.Yaldas roots trace back countless years, possibly to the second millennium BC, and even, according to some sources, earlier to the
In Zoroastrian tradition, the night represented the peak of darkness and the forces of evil.Yalda Night is likewise celebrated throughout
Greater Iran, consisting of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Iraqi Kurdistan, and parts of Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.Through
its abundant blend of history, poetry, and treasured rituals, Yalda continues to represent hope and unity to underpin the enduring victory
of light over darkness.AM
