Persian Love Berlin presents Shab e Yalda (The longest night)
SA 20.12, 22H ACUD Club
Presale: https://ra.co/events/2311504
The beginning of the winter solstice is known in the Persian world as Shab-e-Yalda, and it falls on the night of SATURDAY 20TH DECEMBER this year. As in cultures around the world, it is a celebration of the light that follows darkness as spring follows winter; a time to gather together with friends and family to ward off the privations of the coldest season. In the ancient Zoroastrian version of this festival, the solstice is the night that the Lord of Wisdom, Ahura Mazda—an early monotheistic god figure—will triumph over evil, signified by darkness. If that sounds like a familiar tale, Yalda, which means birth and is now also a popular Iranian girls name, is believed by many to be an inspiration for early Christmas rituals. In ancient times, friends and family gathered together to light fires, feast, and make merry. In the ensuing millennia, not much has changed. When I lived in Iran, every year my family and I would gather at my grandparents’ place. These family gatherings usually take place in the homes of elders—grandparents, if they are alive—as loved ones spend the evening together as a sign of love and respect and to listen to their stories of past generations. Despite the commitment to many of the old ways of celebrating, Iranians have added new traditions and altered others throughout many centuries. We read poetry aloud, tell jokes, laugh, and sometimes dance until after midnight (in this case, late into the early morning as per the tradition of BERLIN BY NIGHT) In the spirit of seeing off the longest/ darkest night of the year, Mehmooni LDN's DJ Milli will be bringing a special "Shab e Yalda Persian Love" to ACUD MACHT NEU in Mitte, delivering a journey through Persian Music & Pomegranates...
Doors open at 10PM and tickets are available on RA. Limited tickets on the door so grab early to avoid disappointment on the night. Wishing you all safety and joy with the coming winter solstice.