State College, PA
🗓️ December 2, 2024
Hub Robenson Center, Penn State Yalda Night
🎫 Tickets available via Eventbrite.
The Yalda event, also known as Shab-e Yalda or Shab-e Chelleh, is an ancient Persian festival that celebrates the arrival of winter and the longest night of the year. Yalda is derived from the Syriac word “Yaldā” meaning birth. It is typically observed on the night of December 20th or 21st, coinciding with the winter solstice. The Yalda event has its roots in Zoroastrianism, the ancient religion of Persia. It is believed to have originated thousands of years ago and is still widely celebrated in Iran and among Iranian communities around the world. During Yalda, family and friends gather together, often in the homes of elders or grandparents, to commemorate the occasion. The centerpiece of the celebration is a special table known as the “Sofreh-e Yalda.” This table is decorated with various symbolic items and traditional foods.
