Shab-e Cheleh (Night of Forty) or Shab-e Yalda (Yalda Nig

Shab-e Cheleh (Night of Forty) or Shab-e Yalda (Yalda Night) is an Iranian festival celebrated on the "longest and darkest night of the year.” This celebration corresponds to the night between the last day of the ninth month of Iranian Calendar, Azar, and the first day of the tenth month, Dey (the night of December 20/21). In most parts of Iran the extended family comes together and enjoys a fine dinner. A wide variety of fruits and sweetmeats specifically prepared or kept for this night are served. Foods common to the celebration include watermelon, pomegranate, nuts, and dried fruit. After dinner the elderlies entertain the others by telling them tales and anecdotes. Another favorite and prevalent pastime of the night of Chelleh is reciting the poems of Hafez. #Sari, #Iran. Photo by Mostafa Kazemi @mostafa.kazemi #EverydayIran #EverydaySari #EverydayEverywhere

خانواده‌ای در شب یلدا (یا شب چله) دور هم جمع شده‌اند. #ساری، #ایران. عکاس: مصطفی کاظمی