Shab-e Yalda, the ancient Persian festival of the winter solstice, symbolises the triumph of light over darkness. Its roots stretch back to Babylonian times, when—during this long night—social roles were reversed. Servants and masters exchanged places, a mock king was crowned, and the streets pulsed with masquerade and ritual chaos. For a moment, the world turned upside down before returning to order. This reversal reflected the unpredictability and deep interweaving of our lives.

In this performance, I reimagine the aftermath of that night through a theatrical lens—channelling the playful, rebellious energy I experienced in past relationships. Shab-e Yalda is a mirror of my hedonistic side: my hunger to experience life fully, sometimes recklessly, sometimes without boundaries.

It also reflects the etiquette and unspoken rules of the Persian living room—a carefully curated space for guests, defined by intention, beauty, and the art of serving. 

Here, my friend and I become both the hosts and the guests of our own subversive, joyous Yalda celebration—breaking away from formality and order, welcoming disorder as homage to the spirit of Shab-e Yalda itself.