Tehran museum hosts "Yalda" ceremony

A variety of programs was held at the Rasam Arabzadeh Carpet Museum in Tehran, on the occasion of Yalda Night, the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.

A number of artists and literary figures participated at the ceremony held on Sunday, December 18.

The cultural gala hosts Naqali (Iranian storytelling tradition), music performance, ‘The Shahnameh’ reciting and poetry reading.

Eminent poetess Homa Arjangi, 73, and reciter Yasna Kiani conducted the poetry reading session and the Naqali session was rendered by the artist Sara Abbaspour, who has also given performances at several events across Iran and some European countries.

Naqali, as an Iranian storytelling, is a verbal expression of events or stories in lyrics or prose by means of solo performance which is considered a unique Iranian solo theatre.

Yalda Night or Shab-e Chelleh is one of the most celebrated traditional events in Iran which has a root in Zoroastrian belief.

This traditional Persian winter celebration is commemorated on or around December 20 or 21 each year.