My Life As A New Yorker

Monday night (December 21st) was winter solstice or as we call it, the night of Yalda. Yalda is not only the longest night of year and the first night of the winter, but it’s an ancient Iranian festival as well. It is a time when friends and family gather together to eat, drink and read poetry (especially Hafiz) until well after midnight. Fruits and nuts are eaten and pomegranates and watermelons are particularly significant. The red colour in these fruits symbolizes the crimson hues of dawn and glow of life, invoking the splendor of Mithra. Since most of our friends have already left NY for the holidays, we decided to celebrate Yalda on Sunday, the 20th so the ones that are still here can join us. It was a fun and long night indeed.

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