Yelda Night (Şeva Yelda), marking the year’s longest night, was celebrated in Turkey’s Batman (Êlih) with a culturally rich event organised by the Arî Language Research and Culture Association (ARÎ-DER) at the Batman Bar Association Tahir Elçi Conference Hall. The event saw participation from various organisations, including the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, the Democratic Regions Party (DBP), Tevgera Jinên Azad (TJA or Free Women’s Movement), DEM Party Youth Council, Batman Labour and Democracy Platform, and Batman Bar Association.
The evening commenced with a moment of silence, followed by a speech from writer Faysal Özdemir, who noted that Yelda (Şeva Yelda) and Newroz are not only nature festivals but also celebrations of resistance. A video presentation on the meaning of Yelda Night and a poetry recital added to the cultural depth of the event. Certificates were also distributed to students attending ARÎ-DER workshops.
Yelda Night (Şeva Yelda), recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, has deep roots in Zoroastrian traditions and is widely celebrated among Kurds, Persians and other communities in the Middle East and Asia. Observed on 21 December, the Winter Solstice, it symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and is marked with gatherings, storytelling and traditional foods.
In Kurdish culture, Yelda Night is also known as Şeva Çile, marking the beginning of the ‘Little Forty’ days of winter (Çileyê Biçuk), as opposed to the longer ‘Great Forty’ days (Çileyê Mezin), which follows after the Little Forty. Families often gather around tables decorated with symbolic fruits such as pomegranates, representing abundance and renewal, and melons, signifying health and protection from the winter cold.
Yelda Night (Şeva Yelda) celebrations are held throughout Kurdistan as well as by Kurdish communities in exile. The gatherings continue to reflect the cultural richness of the occasion, combining ancient traditions with communal celebrations that honour resilience and hope for the future.
