Iranians Celebrate Yalda Amid Economic Struggles
TEHRAN: This Sunday, Iranians from various backgrounds gathered to celebrate the age-old Persian festival of Yalda, a cherished tradition. However, many noted that the economic challenges amplified by international sanctions have cast a shadow over this year’s festivities.
Yalda, which marks the winter solstice, is a time for family reunions filled with nuts, sweets, and seasonal fruits.
“We mostly spend time with our families—our grandparents, aunts, and cousins,” said Maral Bagherpour, a cheerful 16-year-old student, at the bustling Tajrish Bazaar in northern Tehran. “We enjoy fal-e Hafez, sipping tea or coffee. Sometimes my grandma sings for us.”
“Taking fal-e Hafez,” a beloved ritual, involves reading poetry from the famous 14th-century poet Hafez to gain insight into the future or navigate life’s challenges.
“We all gather at my grandparents’ house for Yalda night,” shared 37-year-old Mary Goudarzi. “We talk about the good times we had and enjoy seasonal nuts and fruits together.”
Yet the reality of rampant inflation and a fall in the national currency’s value against the dollar has made it tough for many families to fully embrace the holiday’s spirit. In early December, the central bank reported that inflation was at 41 percent.
As of Saturday, the US dollar was trading at about 1.32 million rials in the informal market—almost double the rate from last year.
“Sadly, due to events like the ongoing war and increasing dollar prices, people’s purchasing power has declined significantly,” said Goudarzi, who works as an interior designer. “That’s why many of the items we used to see on our Yalda tables are missing this year,” she remarked while shopping for the occasion.
