Celebrate the longest night of the year according to Persian tradition
NIPÅ, together with Medis, Åland's provincial government and the City of Mariehamn's culture & library, invites the public to celebrate Shab-e Yalda together at Mariehamn's library on Thursday 21 December between 18.30-22.00.
Shab-e Yalda, also called Shab-e Chelle, dates back several thousand years to the time when the sun god Mithra's birthday was celebrated.
In recent days, it has become a family celebration celebrated with eating well, reading poems, telling ancient stories with family and friends all night long.
Program
For children between 18.30 - 19.30.
Fairy tale in Swedish from A Thousand and One Nights with Victoria Lundgren, fairy tale in Farsi with Shilan Mohammadi, Persian folktale design with Hannamari Ruohonen.
For adults between 19.00 - 22.00.
Conny Andersson, ethnologist, talks about how the longest night of the year is celebrated in different cultures. Poetry reading from Hafez in both Swedish and Persian with Lars Midbjer and Sahar Arjoon Music and song with Sahar Arjoon (vocals) and Guy Karlsson (piano)
The library is decorated according to tradition and offers a variety of delicacies and teas.