Chinese ambassador to Tehran wishes Iranians a ‘Happy Yalda’ Night

The ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Iran, Chang Hua, wished Iranians a Happy Yalda Night.

“Happy Yalda night and may your life be full of happy situations,” the Chinese diplomat wrote in a message in Persian on his official Twitter page.

According to  Tasnim news agency, falling on December 21 this year, Yalda Night or Shab-e Yalda (Shab-e Chelleh) is a Persian winter event that is commemorated on the first night of winter or around December 20 or 21 each year.

Yalda celebrations is a social occasion when friends and family gather to eat, drink tea and read poetry (especially Hafiz) until after midnight.

Each member of the family makes a wish and randomly opens Hafez's book of poems and recites the poem, which is believed to be an interpretation of the wish.

Fruits, particularly pomegranates and watermelons, and nuts are served in this night. The fruits signify the hope for having a fruitful spring and summer.

Central Asian countries such as Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and some Caucasian states like Azerbaijan and Armenia share the same tradition as well and celebrate Yalda Night annually at this time of the year.

Yalda Night was officially added to Iran's List of National Treasures during a special ceremony in 2008.

The annual winter ceremony manifests the traditional concept of light and good prevailing over darkness and evil in the ancient Iranian religion.

Meanwhile, in Chinese culture people also have a similar festival called Dongzhi, that literally means "the arrival of winter", in which they celebrate the season’s turning point toward the warmer, lighter days of spring.

ME