Shab-e Yalda, Winter Solstice: Private Exhibition

To bring life and joy into the long, dark winter nights of 2020, a private exhibition was organized, presenting a sofreh reflecting the enchanting traditions of Shab-e Yalda, the winter solstice—the eve of 1 Dey in the Persian calendar, corresponding to 21 December. The feast of Yalda originates in the pre-Islamic period and is associated with agriculture. The divan-e Hafez (works of 14th-century Persian poet, Hafez) to recite poetry, and red fruits—watermelons and pomegranates—are important parts of this celebration, heralding the crimson hues of sunrise after absolute darkness, and the promise of longer days ahead. Interestingly, Shab-e Yalda is only about one minute longer than the preceding night. In the Persian tradition people get together, tea, sweets, fruits and nuts are served, and stories and poetry are recited and fortunes are told. The idea is to get through the darkest and longest night of the year, when it is believed that demons are most active, while celebrating the passing of darkness and the rebirth of the sun.

Shab-e Yalda, Winter Solstice display

This is the overall view of the colourful and celebratory ceremonial contemporary sofreh for the occasion of Yalda. It incorporates a samovar to serve tea, exquisitely embroidered Persian textiles known as termeh, Persian pastries, crystal sugar, nuts, red fruits, flowers, flames and a book of verse (divan-e Hafez) to recite poetry and tell fortunes.

Pomegranates are important components of this celebration, and this section of the sofreh is dedicated to fresh and sculptured pomegranates, embellished with ivy leaves. The whole fruits are presented in a Persian silver tray, and the opened ones, with their exposed deep-red seeds, are presented in a Persian silver container. The bell-shaped lid is on display at a slant. Lengths of embroidered antique Persian textiles, known as termeh, enhance the beauty of this corner.

This section of the sofreh for Shab-e Yalda is dedicated to whole and cut watermelons, presented in different Persian silver containers. There is a striking contrast between the skin of the watermelon, in various shades of green, and its red flesh. Embroidered edges of the antique Persian textile, known as termeh, partially frame the stunning display of watermelons, which are important components of this celebration.

This corner of the sofreh for Shab-e Yalda presents a miniature composition, comprising a tiny bouquet of deep-red Red Lace spray roses, Brown sugar Lisianthus, Viburnum opulus, ivy and woodoats (Chasmanthium latifolium), beside shiny, red Gala apples. The bouquet in deep-red tones, which is displayed in a green Persian glass vase with a wide base, complements the red fruits, which are important components of this celebration.

This corner of the sofreh for Shab-e Yalda presents another miniature composition, comprising a pair of tiny bouquets of deep-red Red Lace spray roses, Brown sugar Lisianthus, Viburnum opulus, ivy and woodoats (Chasmanthium latifolium), beside ample Red Delicious apples. The embroidered antique Persian textile (termeh) and the bouquets in deep-red tones complement the red fruits, which are important components of this celebration.

The focus of this image is the ample, glorious and spectacular bouquet of deep-red Red Lace spray roses, Brown sugar Lisianthus, Viburnum opulus and woodoats (Chasmanthium latifolium), which graces the colourful sofreh for Shab-e Yalda. The bouquet in deep-red tones complements the red fruits—watermelons and pomegranates—which are important components of this divine celebration.

This is the centre-front section of the sofreh. Mixed dried fruit and nuts, embellished with miniature sculptured pomegranates, are on display over a draped length of antique Persian textile, known as termeh, with an intricate silver-thread border. A copy of the divan-e Hafez with an attractive binding is presented on an antique Persian silver tray, flanked by a pair of lovely miniature trays of traditional Persian pastries. During the celebrations, stories and poetry are recited and fortunes are told, to get through the longest and darkest night of the year.