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Shab-e Yalda

Event

20 Dec / 18:00
  1. |

Shab-e Yalda is an Iranian festival celebrated on the "longest and darkest night of the year", when friends and family gather together to eat, drink and read poetry (especially Hafez) until well after midnight.

Fruits and nuts are eaten and pomegranates and watermelons are particularly significant. The red color in these fruits symbolizes the crimson hues of dawn and glow of life.

The poems of Divan-e Hafez, which can be found in the bookcases of most Iranian families, are read or recited on various occasions such as this festival and Nowruz. Shab-e Yalda was officially added to Iran's List of National Treasures in a special ceremony in 2008.

Free entrance.