TEHRAN -- Millions of Iranian families 
celebrated the ancient Winter Solstice festival on Friday evening.
Yalda Night, or Shab-e Chelleh, marks the longest night of the year and is one of the most significant events on the Iranian calendar. Similar to Nowruz, the celebration of the Spring Equinox and the Iranian New Year, Yalda’s origins trace back to at least the Achaemenid era (circa 500 BC). The word “Yalda,” however, is derived from ancient Syriac and means “birthday.”
The celebration of Yalda, like Christmas, is an important family event celebrated with special foods, fruits such as watermelons and pomegranates, nuts and dried fruits, candles, poetry reading, games, and song and dance.
To ancient Iranians, the night of the Winter Solstice was the eve of the birth of the God of light and love, Mithra. On this night, they believed, Light defeated the powers of Darkness, and the sun gained its power again to make days longer and bring about the rebirth of nature at Spring Equinox.
President Masoud Pezeshkian sent a special message to Iranians on Thursday to congratulate for Yalda. “We Iranians believe that Yalda will bring light,” he wrote in his message.
In 2023, Iran’s Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution (SCCR) designated Yalda as the “Day of Promotion of the Culture of Hosting and Connecting with Relatives”.
On Friday, the streets across Iran were abuzz with excitement and activity despite the economic hardships and the festive spirit was palpable. 
On the national television, the grabbing melodies of ‘A Cube of Sugar’ offered a perfect soundtrack to family gatherings.
The film’s music, composed by Muhammad Reza Aligholi, captures the essence of Iranian family life, making it resonant during Yalda celebrations.
Aligholi’s soundtrack for ‘A Cube of Sugar’ creates a delicate balance between happiness and melancholy.
Reza Mirkarimi’s film follows a young girl from a traditional Iranian family who is set to marry the son of a family friend. As her entire family arrives to take part in the wedding ceremony, an unexpected event turns the joy of the moment into sadness and sorrow.
The film’s music combines cheerful and melancholic melodies, reflecting the theme of Yalda Night, which highlights the victory of light over darkness.
Using a combination of classical instruments and traditional rhythms, the theme song reflects the film’s narrative of a family wedding that turns into mourning.
The composer’s approach reflects the intricate blend of sorrow and happiness found in Iranian families’ experiences.
This duality really speaks to the heart of Iranian culture, capturing the blend of both joyful and bittersweet moments in our lives.