Millions Celebrate Persian Yalda Night, Marking Winter Solstice

The ancient festival symbolizes hope and the triumph of light, though celebrations face challenges in Iran and Afghanistan.

Yalda Night, celebrated on December 21, marks the longest night of the year and the start of winter in Persian tradition.
Millions in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan gather with family and friends to enjoy traditional foods, light candles, and read poetry, including verses by the Persian poet Hafez.
The festival, which has been observed for thousands of years, represents hope as the days begin to grow longer after the solstice.
Economic hardship and high inflation in Iran, along with rising regional military tensions, cast a shadow over this year’s celebrations.
In Afghanistan, the Taliban view non-Islamic traditions like Yalda Night with skepticism but have not imposed an official ban on the festivities.