Yalda Night shopping in Iran: Photos

As just hours separate us from the arrival of winter, last minute arrangements for the ancient Persian festival of Yalda Night are being made.

On the eve of Yalda Night, people shop for nuts and fruits, especially watermelons, to serve on that night.

The festival, which falls on December 21, observes the longest night of the year.

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/FM