Iranians gearing up for Yalda + Photos

The ancient Persian festival of Yalda Night is upon us. It observes the longest night of the year.

The winter festival falls on December 21.

As Yalda Night approaches, people go shopping for nuts and fruits, including watermelons and pomegranates, to serve at the festival.

On Yalda Night, families meet and read poems by Iran’s prominent poet Hafiz.

Yalda Night has recently been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

SQ/AG