Winter solstice in Iran

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transatlanticist
transatlanticist

Hi - does anyone have any particular advice on how best to enjoy the winter solstice (Shab-e Yalda) in Iran? I am looking to tack on a few weeks there prior to a work trip to Bahrain, so I'll end in the south in mid-January and would like to start in the north/west to follow the weather. I will probably be near Teheran, the Caspian or maybe even farther west around the 21st (I am contemplating starting in Yerevan even earlier in December). The celebrations sound beautiful but family-oriented, I'm not sure if there would be opportunity to participate or if I might just have to fend for myself food-wise and pass a quiet few days with closed shops, etc. Are there any public events associated with the holiday?

If I were just landing in Teheran at that time, does anyone have a favourite smaller town to recomend nearby where I could head to spend the holiday and maybe do some hiking? Thanks!

Edited by: transatlanticist

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lorah
lorah

Only events with a religious background (moharram, deaths/birthdays of the prophet and the imams etc.) are publicly and officially celebrated in Iran. Anything else, is considered unislamic by the govt (and indeed originates from pre-islamic times), such as the New Year celebrations (which they were fortunately not able to eliminate) and, yes, Shab-e Yalda.

Yet, if you are lucky to make Iranian friends, chances are that you will be invited (and eat more watermelons than ever before in your life...). Maybe a local knows better, but I would not even expect shops/restaurants to close or if so only for the afternoon/evening before the particular night (shab).

Lorah

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hassani1387
hassani1387

Shabe Yalda is traditionally celebtrated at home with the family, with a long meal. So, find an Iranian family to host you -- which isn't hard if you know Iranians! It has nothing to do with whether it is Islamic or not.

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