- As noted by Navruz
- Celebration according to the European calendar
- Preparation for the holiday
- Festive table
- Present
- Public events
- Where can you celebrate a holiday
Turkey is a country where you can celebrate the New Year twice, which, of course, is considered an indisputable advantage for tourists. The double date is due to the fact that the traditional celebration is celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox, and the European New Year's holiday has appeared on the calendar since 1926.
As noted by Navruz
For most residents of Turkey, Navruz is considered a key event in the life of the country, which means “new day”. The holiday falls on March 22-23, it is always accompanied by ancient rituals and is associated by the Turks with the arrival of spring. Here are just a few rules that should be followed on the days of the celebration:
- before Navruz, it is necessary to carefully clean the home, throw away old and unnecessary things, and also ventilate all rooms;
- during the holiday, it is customary to forgive offenders and not lend money;
- On March 22, the main preparation of the table begins, including leblebi, berek, lokum, yufka and other national dishes;
- On March 23, at 5-6 o'clock in the morning, the Turks go to the cemetery to honor the memory of the dead;
- in order to fulfill their wishes, the Turks tie a silk ribbon to a tree branch.
The main festivities take place on March 23rd. As a rule, the holiday is celebrated in a quiet family circle. An obligatory element of Navruz is going to visit friends and close relatives. Everyone gathers at a round table, drink tea, sing songs and rejoice at the onset of spring. Such gatherings can continue until early morning.
Celebration according to the European calendar
The tradition of celebrating the New Year on the night of December 31 to January 1 was established by the head of Turkey Ataturk, who promoted to the masses the idea that the state can develop successfully only by being secular. Therefore, the new holiday has become a kind of symbol of commitment to European culture.
Initially, the celebration was not celebrated on a large scale, but gradually the inhabitants of Turkey began to adopt the New Year's traditions and customs characteristic of most Europeans.
Currently, the focus of the New Year is the southwestern regions of the country, where such cities as Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Bursa are located. Local authorities make every effort to organize the holiday. For this purpose, streets are decorated, colorful illumination can be seen in shop windows, and tall spruces are set in the central squares.
Preparation for the holiday
The Turks prefer not to postpone preparations for the New Year, so within a week they begin to put fir trees in their apartments and decorate the space of the house. Children are eagerly awaiting gifts from a Turkish Santa Claus named Noel Baba. His figurines are located under the tree. Pictures of the New Year's storyteller are hung on the walls, and garlands appear on the windows.
Such decorations can not be seen all over the country, as in remote regions there is still a skeptical attitude towards the European celebration.
Festive table
Each hostess tries to surprise guests with an abundance of national dishes. The New Year's menu is varied and consists of fried turkey stuffed with vegetables; beef saute; meatballs in traditional sauce; green beans with zucchini; mutanjans (lamb stewed with dried fruits); adana kebab; knafe (goat cheese noodles); Jezerie (sweetness based on carrot juice with nuts); tulumbu (custard rolls with cream); baklava.
The table is laid in accordance with all the rules, that is, a tablecloth with an embroidered New Year's or Christmas ornament is spread, and the space around the devices is decorated with New Year's napkins. The Turks adopted these nuances for the most part from the Americans and other representatives of the European race.
Family dinner begins at approximately eight to nine o'clock in the evening, after which everyone goes outside to welcome the coming year.
Present
Turks are not particularly inventive when it comes to New Year's gifts. As gifts, basic necessities, household appliances, original souvenirs, jewelry and cosmetic products, as well as fresh flowers can be used. Sitting down at the New Year's table, it is customary to give gifts to loved ones, and then start a meal.
Public events
For all residents of Turkey, the government annually organizes lottery drawings of valuable prizes on the eve of the holiday. It has already become a kind of custom for Turks to purchase lottery tickets on New Year's Eve.
As for Istanbul, it is here that most tourists flock, who appreciate the atmosphere of fun, performance and who want to see with their own eyes one of the most beautiful fireworks in the country.
On December 31, on the streets of Istanbul, you can observe a crowd of people in Taksim Square, as well as Istiklal Street, where there are numerous cafes for every taste.
Travel agencies include in the list of excursion programs boat trips along the Bosphorus, visiting parties at the Sultanas restaurants, Gar Music Hall and Gala Pera. The management tries to make the holiday unforgettable for the guests. Having decided to celebrate the New Year in such a place, a delicious dinner, a belly dance, a harem show, a musical performance with the participation of the best bands of the city, a folk festival, etc. will await you.
Where can you celebrate a holiday
If you are determined to go to Turkey for New Year's holidays, then the choice of the region depends, first of all, on your individual preferences.
City dwellers are best suited to celebrate the New Year in Istanbul or Ankara. As noted above, these cities are the most attractive during the celebration.
The Mediterranean coast beckons visitors with a seaside vacation in hotels of different price categories. Despite the fact that climatic conditions in winter in Turkey are not quite ideal for beach tourism, there is always a heated pool in hotels. In addition, on New Year's holidays, the cost of spa treatments and visits to hammams is significantly reduced.
At the end of December, the ski resorts of Saklikent, Uludag, Palandoken and Kartaklaya are very popular in Turkey. Developed infrastructure and picturesque landscapes will delight even the most discerning tourist.
The quality of rest often depends on the successful choice of the hotel. It is better to take care of this in advance and choose the best accommodation option for comfort and price.
