Bishkek to Celebrate Longest Night of the Year with Shabe Yalda Festivities
Shabe Yalda, the Longest Night of the Year, to be Celebrated in Bishkek
The ancient Iranian holiday Shabe Yalda, also known as the longest night of the year, will be celebrated in the Alykul Osmonov National Library in Bishkek.
The event is organized by the cultural representative office at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Kyrgyzstan and will be attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, the Iranian diaspora, teachers and students of local universities, as well as fans of Persian culture.
The holiday will take place on December 21 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and admission is free.
Shabe Yalda is celebrated on December 21 and is the last night of autumn in Iran. It holds significant cultural and historical importance, being one of the main holidays in Iran for the last 5,000 years. Iranians consider it a victory of light over darkness, as it marks the longest night of the year after which the days become longer and the nights become shorter. Families traditionally gather in the house of their parents or grandparents, enjoy food, and read the poems of Hafiz, one of the best Persian poets.
It is also worth noting that Iranians living in Kyrgyzstan also celebrate Yalda Night, and the holiday has become a traditional celebration over the past few years.
For those interested in experiencing this beautiful celebration of Persian culture, the Alykul Osmonov National Library in Bishkek is the place to be on December 21.
