Celebrating Solstice Many of our holiday traditions today reflect the mosaic of influences over time from cultures and religions long gone. From the Nordic tradition of burning Yule logs to hasten the return of the sun to pagan Romans' love of decorating homes with greenery, many of today's holiday icons are deeply ingrained in our cultural histories. With bright lights and bonfires, we still call back the sun with a variety of celebrations. In December, Iran celebrates the ancient tradition of Yalda, or Shab-e Yaldaa. Persians adopted this festival of renewal from the Babylonians and incorporated it into the rituals of their own religion.
Fires burn all night to celebrate the defeat of darkness and the victory of the sun.
Today, the feast is held in the evening so it does not conflict with Ramadan. In the English town of Allendale, an ancient tradition features costumed townsmen parading through town with flaming barrels of tar atop their heads. Celebrated at the beginning of the New Year, the Tar Barl Festival culminates with a midnight bonfire in the village square. Helly Aa, originated from the same New Year festivity. This fire festival features more than 900 torch-carrying revelers igniting a massive bonfire and celebrating long and heartily into the night.