On the night of 20 to 21 December, Iranians celebrate Shab-e Yalda, the longest night of the year. Families stay up late, eat pomegranates and watermelon, and read poems by Hafez. In Germany, Persian associations have started planning public evenings that are open to everyone.

An evening for neighbours and friends

Community centres in several cities want to use the celebration to bring German and Iranian neighbours together. Typical programmes include live music, a short introduction to the tradition, readings in Persian and German, and a table of nuts, dried fruit and sweets.

A tradition between generations

For many families in the diaspora, Yalda is also a way to pass on language and customs to children born in Germany. Organisers recommend booking early, as places at popular events are usually limited.