Speech by H.E. Ambassador Mohammad Hassan, President of the ECO Cultural Institute at the International Celebration of "Mehr's Chilleh" Thursday, December 18, 2025 ECO
In the Name of God the Lord of Love, Compassion and Light
Excellencies, distinguished Ambassadors and esteemed officials of friendly and brotherly countries, revered scholars, littérateurs, and dear guests,
I extend my warmest greetings and welcome.
I am profoundly delighted to host your valuable presence at the "International Celebration of «Chilleh Mehr» the verge of Yalda Night, which is the symbol of our regio cultural unity. I express my sincere appreciation for your valuable participation in this heartfelt gathering.
"Chille Mehr " is not merely a single night on the calendar; it is an ancient civilizational tradition that links our deep roots across the vast expanse of the ECO region. The antiquity of this ancient rite dates back thousands of years, to a time when our ancestors celebrated this night as the birthday of the Divinity of Compassion and Light, or Mithra. This night is a celebration of the beginning of the gradual triumph of light over darkness; a beautiful symbol of eternal hope and faith in the victory of illumination over gloom. Yalda is, in fact, the covenant of early humans with nature and the cosmic order. They taught us that even at the height of darkness, we must keep our eyes fixed on the dawn.
This invaluable cultural heritage is celebrated among the peoples of Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and other ECO member states with diverse customs, but with a single, unifying message of appreciating family, wisdom, empathy, and respect for nature. This night is a commemoration of the collective spirit and human wisdom in the face of winter's cold.
The importance of Yalda lies in the fact that the various cultures within the ECO civilizational sphere have enriched this festival with their unique symbols and rituals: In neighboring countries, red fruits, such as pomegranates and watermelons, symbolize blessing and the sun's warmth. This night is also known by other names such as "Çillə Gecəsi," "Nar Danasi," or the "First Night of Winter," and its associated traditions share many similarities with Yalda. In all these regions, people welcome winter by preparing special foods, eating dried nuts and seeds, and gathering around a fire. The traditions of storytelling, Shahnameh recitation, poetry reading, and setting the Yalda table all point to a single civilizational root that connects us to our brilliant literary past.
Furthermore, the significant patterns and similarities of this ancient rite with other world cultures, including ancient European and winter festivals, demonstrate that the human understanding of cosmic order and the victory of light is a universal concept.
The ECO Cultural Institute is proud to fulfill its role in preserving and promoting this shared heritage. A heritage that is rooted in the depth of the common civilization and the unbreakable bonds of the ECO nations. Today, our goal transcends merely hosting a celebration; we are engaged in consolidating cultural diplomacy. In this endeavor, the valuable success of the global inscription of "Yalda/Shab-e Chelleh" on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List is a great achievement and a shining example of the immense cultural potential of the ECO region. This global registration is not only the historical right of this ancient civilization but also signifies the international community's recognition of its global message; a message that, in today's challenging times, conveys the call for "lasting peace, friendship, and reconciliation" to all humanity.
Our gathering here to commemorate Yalda is a practical manifestation of the reality that: Culture is the strongest and most enduring bridge of communication. We believe that the poetry of Hafez, the wisdom of Sa'di, and the insight of great poets like Allama Muhammad Iqbal, are shared spiritual assets that connect our nations, stronger than any geographical border. This gathering is, at the same time, an indication of our firm resolve for solidarity, empathy, and the further expansion of regional cooperation in all dimensions, including cultural, scientific, and social.
We sincerely hope that this ancient festival will strengthen our heartfelt bonds even further and herald a period full of peace, progress, and success for all ECO nations and the entire world.
Thank you for your warm presence. Happy Chelleh Night, and may our friendships be long-lasting.
Ambassador Mohammad Hassan
President of the ECO Cultural Institute
December 18, 2025