As Westerners start prepping for the arrival of Christmas and the New Year, Persians all around the world celebrate a special traditional event, Yalda Night.
Yalda night occurs on the 21st of December and marks the winter solstice in the Northen Hemispere. It symbolically refers to the end of darkness on the longest night of the year, as the sun beats the dark and wins it over. Hence why Iranians believe that it is good luck to stay indoors on this night and spend quality time with family and loved ones.
On other parts of the world, Christians have similar beliefs when it comes to celebrating Christmas. Spending quality time with those nearest and dearest to you is at the core of festive celebrations. Nevertheless, this year has been quite different to any other year. Covid19 has caused many families to be apart from one another. Not only that, but so many restrictions in certain parts of the world has also made it difficult to get into the spirit of the holiday season and festivities.

Once again, we feel extremely lucky to be living in an almost Covid-free part of the world.
We have decided to put together a snippet of what Yalda night is about, in order to stir up the holiday mood. Travelling internationally may still be a while away, however this could be an opportunity for savvy travellers to learn more about traditions and unique destination to add to their bucket lists.
Finally at NZ Travel & Tour, we hope you enjoy the final edition of our 2020 newsletter. We would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
warms wishes
NZ Travel & Tour

This night is directly associated with eating lots of delicious food. It is tradition to gather with family and friends, and to munch on lots of festive fruits and sweets, while reading Hafez poems, drinking a glass of Shiraz or sipping on traditional Persian tea.

Creating a grazing table with symbolic red fruits such as pomegranates, watermelon and red apples is customary on Yalda night. Fruits such as persimmon, melon and medlar are must haves on Yalda spread.

You can find a good variety of traditional sweets such as Persian Baklava at every Persian household on this night. Pistachios, almonds and variety of nuts are also must eat items on Yalda night.

The deep red hues of Shiraz wine are symbolic of Yalda night. Persians enjoy having a glass of Shiraz on this night of the year, while reading poems from Hafez. Ironically, Hafez was born and raised in the ancient city of Shiraz, Iran.

This city is well known for wine, love, literature, poetry, Persian Gardens and the spectacular Persepolis with 2500 years old remains from the times of the greatest Persian Empires.

Shiraz, the heart of Iranian wine making in days gone by, is a provisional capital in south-central of Iran. Historically, Iran has had an ancient tradition of wine culture, which, was usually captured in the poetry of Hafez. Hafez is the most celebrated of Persian poets, who lived during the 14th century in Shiraz. His collections of poems can be found in every Persian household. Most of his poems are about wine, love and roses.

Zand Dynasty

During the mid 18th century, Shiraz became the capital of Iran by Karim Khan, the founder of the Zand Dynasty. He invited many skilled artists and architects to Shiraz. He then commissioned the
Karim Khan Citadel and Vakil Bazaar to be built. The citadel used to be where the kings or local rulers resided, during both the Zand and Qajar Dynasty. Later, it became a prison in Pahlavi Dynasty. In 1972, it was registered in National Heritage of Iran. Nowadays, after having undergone renovation and restoration processes, it has turned into a museum, open to the public.

To gain access to the full article on the historical city of Shiraz, click on Melika’s Article here.