A Link to Old Times

December 22, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: The Associated Press

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2008/dec/22/a-link-to-old-times-iranians-most-of-them-muslims-/

Iranians recited poetry, shared stories and ate fruits and nuts Saturday during all-night celebrations of the longest night of the year, a tradition going back thousands of years to when Zoroastrianism was the predominant religion of ancient Persia.

For many Iranians, the celebration, known as Yalda, offers a link with ancient traditions as well as a chance to gather with family.

"Almost all Iranians, no matter their religion, language and race, celebrate Yalda," said Hooshang Sohaei as he stood in a long line at a confectionary shop in north Tehran to buy sweets and dry fruit.

Zoroastrianism's central theme is the struggle between the good spirit Ahura Mazda and the evil Ahriman. Yalda, marked on the winter solstice, recognizes the symbolic victory of light over darkness as daytime starts growing longer and nights become shorter.

In the streets of the capital, Tehran, fruit vendors enjoyed their busiest day of the year, and confectionaries were packed with customers buying up provisions for the feast.