Dear compatriots!
I warmly congratulate all of you on the celebration of Sada and wish you health, happiness, success, and continuous achievements at the dawn of nature’s awakening and the arrival of warmth and light.
The festival of Sada, which was once nearly forgotten, has been revived and restored to its greatness among the people thanks to the cultural policy and wise initiatives of the Head of State, the esteemed Emomali Rahmon, as well as the strengthening of our national independence.
It is especially important to note that on December 6, 2023, at the initiative of the Republic of Tajikistan and other countries with shared cultural traditions, the festival of Sada was included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which is a source of great pride for all of us.
Sada is an ancient seasonal festival of the Iranian-speaking peoples, celebrated on the 10th of Bahman according to the solar calendar, corresponding to the night between January 30 and 31 on the Gregorian calendar. It is believed that Sada occurs 40 nights after the winter solstice (Yalda), marking the end of the harsh winter and the arrival of spring. The name “Sada” is related to the number “one hundred,” since there are 50 days and 50 nights — totaling 100 — from the 10th of Bahman to Nowruz. According to Abu Rayhan Biruni, our ancestors counted days and nights separately, together making 100 days until Nowruz. The festival of Sada, celebrated at the end of the winter period, symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and the approach of spring renewal. On this day, people—especially farmers—remembered the god of heat and light, Mithra (Mehr), lit large bonfires, and rejoiced. Sada symbolizes the triumph of fire and the coming of spring, as well as the call to begin spring agricultural work.
At this time, farmers traditionally prepared the land, cleaned irrigation canals and systems, stored water, applied organic fertilizers, prepared seeds and agricultural machinery, and tended to orchards and livestock.
In other words, Sada, like other traditional festivals, reflects real natural and cosmic processes and represents a symbolic connection between humans and the movement of celestial bodies and their influence on nature.
Just as Nowruz and Mehrgon have been reflected in the works of Tajik poets and philosophers such as Abu Rayhan Biruni, Abulfazl Bayhaqi, Ferdowsi, Manuchehri, Anvari, Unsuri, Omar Khayyam, and others, the festival of Sada holds a worthy place in their creations. Khakani Sherwani wrote:
“Happy was Khosrow of the East with your protection,
Nowruz, Sada, and Mehrgon — his glorious festivals.”
The poet and philosopher Omar Khayyam linked the origin of Sada to the era of Afridun and wrote in the “Nowruznameh”:
“When Afridun expelled Zahhak, he established the festival of Sada, and the people, freed from Zahhak’s tyranny, joyfully embraced this day and celebrate it annually in Iran and its surroundings.”
We can proudly say that the people of our country honor the traditions of Sada, annually organizing cultural events in parks, decorating celebrations, and rejoicing at the arrival of spring. Exhibitions and sales of seedlings, trees, and flowers are also held, encouraging people to plant and care for plants. With joy and warmth, people greet each other, wishing abundance at the table and prosperity in their homes.
Once again, I sincerely congratulate our hardworking and proud fellow citizens, especially all agricultural workers of the country, on this ancient festival of Sada. I wish you health, happiness, and well-being.
Happy Sada, dear compatriots!
May Sada open hundreds of paths to Nowruz,
And may Nowruz smile upon us in return.
I praise this ancient festival,
That brings the spring bloom in the heart of winter.
