PESHAWAR: The ancient Persian festival ‘Shab-i-Yalda’ was celebrated here at Khana-i-Farhang Iran to promote the cause of kindness, peace, hope and togetherness among communities.

The participants of the festival stressed the need for cementing cultural ties among people for better mutual understanding and social cohesion. They said that such events helped communities to enhance relationship for a forward-looking global society.

Writers, intellectuals, families and officials of Khana-i-Farhang Iran gathered in Imam Khomeini Hall to celebrate the ancient festival, marking the end of the longest and darkest night of the year and symbolising the victory of knowledge over ignorance.

Serving delicious foods, sweets and beverages for guests with sharing stories and poetry were the main feature of the annual festival.

Shab-i-Yalda symbolses victory of knowledge over ignorance

The participants also got engaged in an activity of consulting Diwan of Hafiz Sherazi where they randomly selected couplets to verify wishes and aspirations, called ‘Fal’ in Persian.

The activity lent beauty and charm to the event.

Senior journalists including Amjad Aziz Malik, the president Peshawar Press Club, Shamim Shahid and Kashifuddin Syed, the president of Khyber Union of Journalists, were also among the guests of honour.

Prof Yousaf Hussain, the chairman of Persian department at University of Peshawar, was chief guest on the occasion. He said that Shab-i-Yalda was the most beautiful cultural festival as its celebration not only promoted the cause of peace in the region and bilateral relationship between people of Pakistan and Iran but also helped in mutual understanding in a better way.

He said that such events brought communities together to promote cultural diversity and shared legacy of common values including peace, kindness and spirit of togetherness.“It is an ancient Iranian plus Asian festival being celebrated to promote peace, harmony and resolve to end ignorance for building mutual trust and strengthen ties among communities in the region. It is in fact the celebration of the pledge each year to spread the light of knowledge and scholarship,” he added.

Dr Hussein Choqmi, the director general of Khana-i-Farhang Iran, said on the occasion that Shab-i-Yalda had been part of the Iranian culture for over 3,000 years where families and relatives gathered on the last longest and darkest night of year of the winter season to celebrate rebirth of another night, making people to renew pledge for ending mistrust and ignorance and develop a spirit of togetherness.

Hassan Muazzami, deputy consul general of Khana-i-Farhang Iran, also addressed the function.

Published in Dawn, December 20th, 2024