Farsi students celebrate solstice

Students who have spent months learning how to read and write in Farsi celebrated Yalda night — the Winter solstice — in December.

Iranians have celebrated the longest night of the year for centuries.

Taught by Iradj Derakhshan, the students meet every Sunday at the Foothill-Canada YMCA, where they spend hours practicing writing and reading comprehension. The Farsi language is new to many of the students, and challenging because they must read and write from left to right.

“The class has succeeded in bringing the community together,” Derakhshan said. “The nice thing about it is that Farsi speakers and non-speakers alike are welcome.”

The next class session begins Jan. 8. For information, call Derakhshan at (818) 480-0910 or email him at ccy_roadrunner@yahoo.com. The class is also on Facebook at Iranian School of Los Angeles.