Yaldā Night is an ancient Persian festival that is celebrated on the winter solstice. This corresponds to the night of December 20/21 (±1) in the Gregorian calendar. The longest and darkest night of the year is a time when friends and family gather together to eat, drink and read poetry (especially Hafez) and Shahnameh until well after midnight. Fruits and nuts are eaten and pomegranates and watermelons are particularly significant. The red colour in these fruits symbolizes the crimson hues of d