The First Festival on the Rapport between Yalda and Christmas in Iran
25th of December, the date on which Jesus was born, coincides with the birth of Mithra, the Goddess of light, honesty, friendship and the invincible sun. For this reason, Iran’s government is going to hold the first festival on the rapport between Yalda and Christmas in Saad Abad Palace on the 20th of December, 2018. The main goal of the festival is to create ground for peace and friendship between Iran and other countries of the world. This goal is achieved by emphasizing the cultural commons, materialized in the two events of Yalda and Christmas.
The color red, in the traditions of ancient Iranians who adored Mithra, was highly respected as the symbol of the light of the sun. The red of pomegranate and watermelon, apple and
sea-buckthorn, which adorn the table set on Yalda Night, is a representation of this respect and importance. As can be observed, these elements and their red color share common properties with the decorations of Christmas tree.
