For this Community Mondays, join Persian Place for a warm and vibrant celebration of the Winter Solstice. Experience an evening of Persian dance, music, and poetry, all shared in English for an inclusive and welcoming night.
As part of this special gathering, community members and artists are invited to co-create a collective Sofreh, a traditional Persian tablecloth used in cultural and ceremonial gatherings. This project is led by Marty Ornish, textile artist and Persian Place team member. Guests can contribute through embroidery, drawing, painting, and Persian woodblock printing, transforming the Sofreh into a vibrant, multi-medium expression of community creativity.
Rather than a formal workshop, this gathering offers a relaxed, meaningful space for slow, shared creativity, where participants can stitch, draw, paint, and print while learning and connecting. The experience reflects Persian values of hospitality, unity, and grounding, creating a moment of collective artistry and cultural celebration.
In Persian culture, the Sofreh lies at the heart of daily life. Placed on the floor, it brings people close to the earth to eat, talk, and share moments together. The Sofreh is both functional and sacred—a simple cloth that holds food, but also memory, emotion, and presence. Meals around the Sofreh are always communal, with the host serving others with care to ensure everyone feels seen and included.
The Sofreh also carries a deeper emotional meaning: when families experience distance or silence, it is often around the Sofreh—over shared food and conversation—that connection and laughter return. This humble cloth becomes a space for healing, unity, and quiet joy.
Sofrehs are also used for special events such as Nowruz, Mehregan, and Yalda, as well as wedding ceremonies with the Sofreh Aghd. Each Sofreh is arranged with items meaningful to the occasion, symbolizing blessings, prosperity, and connection.
This Yalda gathering honors this spirit—creating not only a physical Sofreh, but also a shared experience of light, warmth, and belonging on the longest night of the year.
Free admission.