This was written for Emmy-award-winning author and activist Kayhan Irani and her celebration of Shab e Yalda 2021. Kayhan is organizing Mutual Aids efforts on behalf of artists in Afghanistan and I hope you will join us in supporting her efforts. “Shab e Yalda is an ancient festival of light, abundance, and gratitude in the darkness of winter. On the winter solstice, Afghans, Iranians, Kurds, Parsees, Azeris, and Persianate societies across West, South and Central Asia have gathered around a korsi with their families, friends, and beloved community to pass the longest and darkest night of the year. They tell stories, read poetry, enjoy festive food, sing songs, light candles to banish fear and wait for the rebirth of the sun. This year, our family and loved ones in Afghanistan - and those who are connected to that land and culture - are living through and witnessing the very real impacts of successive wars, generational trauma, and unending heartache.” Kayhan Irani