Yalda's Night, when light defeats darkness

“Yalda Night” is a typical Iranian holiday celebrated on the longest night of the year, December 21st. It marks the transition from autumn to winter throughout the northern hemisphere and coincides with the day we call the "winter solstice". From that moment on, the days begin to "get longer", and for this very reason, Yalda represents the victory of light over darkness. This is an ancient tradition, dating back more than 3000 years ago, and then taken up by the Hindu, Mithraist and Zoroastrian religions, which celebrate the birth of Mithras, the god of the sun and light.

Darkness invaded the sky. There is a star that brings light and a glimmer of hope. December 21st, the Winter Solstice during which there is the longest night of the year, coincides with the first day of the month "Dey", the tenth month of the Persian calendar and with the beginning of winter. The word Yalda in the Assyro-Babylonian language means "nativity", it was a festival that was celebrated by both the Zoroastrian and Christian religions.

Let's celebrate Shab-e Yalda, the winter solstice festival, together with the Iranian community of Rome!

When?

Friday 21 December, from 17pm to 00pm

Where?

La Sapienza University of Rome

Faculty of Literature and Philosophy

Ground floor, room IV

Programme:

Presentation of Shab-e Yald: Prof. Carlo Giovanni Cereti

Introduction of Shab-e Yalda through images and symbols

Reading of poems by Shahnameh: Amin Shayesteh Doust and Massimiliano Vassalli

Hafez Poetry Reading: Mahnaz Dehlavi

Persian culture and traditions

Tastings of Persian sweets

Moderator: Shirin Zakeri