Unlocking the History of Shab-e Yalda

Yalda is a Syriac word adopted into the Persian language meaning birth. The word Yalda, a relatively recent addition, refers to the Persian celebration of the Winter Solstice "Shab-e Cheleh Festival", which commonly falls on the 21st of December in the Gregorian Calendar. This uniquely significant night has been celebrated in countless cultures for thousands of years. The ancient Roman festivals of Saturnalia, celebrating Saturn, the God of Agriculture, and Sol Invicta which celebrated the Sun God are amongst the best known in the Western world.


But how did this ancient celebration of the triumph of light over darkness become the festival that present-day Iranians around the world celebrate today?


Join us as we take a brief journey back in time through ancient petroglyphs and to the mountains of Alborz and begin unlocking the history of one of the most well-regarded Persian nights of celebration, Shab-e Yalda!