Shab-e Yalda: Celebrating the Winter Solstice
By Hannah Yaghmaei, Project Coordinator, DiversiPro,
Hannah is an organized and detail-oriented Project Coordinator, who acts as an Executive Assistant to DiversiPro’s CEO and founder, Hamlin Grange. She holds an International Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Psychology from the Glendon Campus of York University. With a diverse background in administrative support, customer service, and workshop facilitation, Hannah leverages her expertise to provide exceptional customer support to DiversiPro’s clients. She efficiently manages and organizes schedules, ensuring smooth coordination of meetings and engagements. Passionate about adult education and training, Hannah also assists in the development of e-learning courses and training programs at DiversiPro. She is dedicated to creating an excellent client experience while helping clients achieve their IDEA goals.
Shab-e Yalda, also known as Shab-e Chelleh, is an ancient celebration of the winter solstice, which is celebrated today in modern-day Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, and Tajikistan amongst others. The winter solstice marks the beginning of winter, and the longest night of the year. On this day the sun is at the lowest point in the sky, so the day feels darker. From this point onwards, the length of daylight begins to increase each day, as the sun sets later. Shab-e Yalda translates to Night of Rebirth, referring to the “rebirth” of the sun, which will bring longer days after the winter solstice.
For as long as I can remember, my family has always celebrated this holiday. My parents first immigrated from Iran to the UK in the mid-90s. From there they immigrated to Canada with me and my brother in the early 2000s. Carrying on the tradition of Shab-e Yalda has been a way for us to remain connected to our Iranian roots, although we live far from our homeland.
Growing up in Canada, I did not have any extended family close-by, so we would celebrate with my parents’ friends, although typically in Iran, the night is spent with the whole family together. It is tradition to gather in the home of a grandparent, and celebrate by eating pomegranate and watermelon, as well as other dried fruits and nuts, telling stories, and reading poems. My mother remembers always going to her grandmother’s house and her grandmother would share ancient Persian myths as well as generational stories with the family.
Poetry plays such a significant role in Iranian culture, and on Shab-e Yalda families read poems by Hafez. Hafez is a very well-known Persian poet from the 14th century, known for his deep philosophical and spiritual writing. The Divan of Hafez is a collection of poems that is often used for fortune-telling during Shab-e Yalda. An individual typically silently makes a wish or asks a question about their future. This question can be about any aspect of their life, such as their love life, career, or health. The book is turned to a random page and the poem on the page is interpreted to answer their question. Fortune-telling using poems by Hafez has been a tradition for centuries.
Shab-e Yalda creates a feeling of warmth in the cold of winter. It is an honour to take part in this ancient celebration every year.
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