On Friday evening, Bahman 10, 1404 (January 30, 2026), members of the Zoroastrian community in Shiraz gathered at their Religious, Cultural, and Sports Complex to celebrate the ancient Sadeh festival through traditional ceremonies.
The program opened with announcements by host Golandam Bahar, followed by Gatha recitations performed by the Zoroastrian Youth Choir under the direction of Shabnam Pourdehi, with musical arrangements by Farshad Abbasian. The ceremony continued with the playing of Iran’s national anthem, during which attendees placed their hands over their hearts as a symbolic renewal of their bond with their homeland.
Khosrow Qods, chairman of the Shiraz Zoroastrian Association, later addressed the audience, highlighting national (non-religious) celebrations such as Nowruz, Mehregan, and Sadeh as shared cultural heritage for all Iranians. Emphasizing the importance of awareness and knowledge, he encouraged a renewed commitment and interest towards reading and using libraries. He also stressed the value of preserving oral traditions and the powerful role of proverbs in cultural understanding. During the event, Mahvash Namdarian Nosratabadi, author of One Thousand and One Proverbs in the Zoroastrian Dari Dialect, was honored with a plaque of appreciation presented by the association.
In this part of the program, author Mahvash Namdarian and Dr. Katayoun Namiranian, who oversaw the book’s transliteration, shared remarks about the research process and the compilation of this valuable work. The host then presented selected photo excerpts of the late Touran Shahriari. A video montage featuring images from past Sadeh celebrations in Shiraz followed, compiled by Shahram Pourdehi and edited by Shahryar Kavousi. The evening’s program continued with a handpan solo by Oshta Nikzad, accompanied by an introduction to the instrument and a brief account of its origins.
As sunset neared, attention turned to the most symbolic moment of Sadeh, the ceremonial lighting of the fire. Women and young girls dressed in white and carrying tulips escorted Mobedyar Rostam Khosraviani to the carefully arranged woodpile, while attendees walked alongside them in solidarity. Many then watched as the white-clad participants circled the stacked wood. A quiet stillness settled over the gathering before gradually giving way to soft prayers and invocations. Soon after, the long-awaited flames rose higher and higher, reaching toward the sky and casting a warmth that briefly made the winter chill fade into the background.
After the ceremony, guests were served ash soup, sirog (traditional oil bread), and sweets, marking the conclusion of this year’s Sadeh celebration. The event was coordinated by Fereshteh Falahati.
On the sidelines:
- This year’s Sadeh observance in Shiraz was conducted in a traditional and restrained atmosphere, without celebratory entertainment. Attendees offered prayers to Ahura Mazda, seeking forgiveness for those who had passed away, patience and strength for the bereaved, and, as always, unity, solidarity, honor, and prosperity for Iran and all Iranians, regardless of background or belief.
- The cooking of ash reshteh and sirog began in the early morning hours of the same day, carried out through the collective cooperation of several volunteer women.
- A rose bush planted years ago beside the fire temple in memory of the late Aflatoon Sohrabi came into bloom during the cold winter days surrounding the Sadeh ceremony, presenting a rare yet striking scene. May his memory be honored and his soul at peace.
