NATIONAL AND RELIGIOUSNATIONAL AND RELIGIOUSFESTIVALS IN TURKEYFESTIVALS IN TURKEY

REPUBLIC DAYREPUBLIC DAY CHILDREN’S DAYCHILDREN’S DAY YOUTH AND SPORTS FESTIVALYOUTH AND SPORTS FESTIVAL VICTORY DAYVICTORY DAY RAMADAN FEASTRAMADAN FEAST SACRIFICE FEASTSACRIFICE FEAST

23 April23 April National Sovereignty National Sovereignty and Children's Day in Turkeyand Children's Day in Turkey

Solemn ceremonies and Solemn ceremonies and children’s festivals take children’s festivals take place throughout place throughout Turkey on National Turkey on National Sovereignty and Sovereignty and Children’s Day, held on Children’s Day, held on April 23 each year. April 23 each year. Children take seats in Children take seats in the Turkish Parliament the Turkish Parliament and symbolically govern and symbolically govern the country for one day. the country for one day.

What do people do?What do people do? Many people in Turkey commemorate the first gathering of Many people in Turkey commemorate the first gathering of

the Grand National Assembly (the Turkish Parliament), the Grand National Assembly (the Turkish Parliament), which took place on April 23, 1920, by attending local which took place on April 23, 1920, by attending local ceremonies or laying wreaths at monuments of Mustafa ceremonies or laying wreaths at monuments of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. The Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. The biggest ceremony takes place at the Ataturk Mausoleum in biggest ceremony takes place at the Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara.Ankara.

Because Ataturk reportedly dedicated the Turkish Republic Because Ataturk reportedly dedicated the Turkish Republic to children, Turkish schoolchildren take seats in the to children, Turkish schoolchildren take seats in the Parliament for the day and symbolically govern the country. Parliament for the day and symbolically govern the country. They elect a president who then addresses the country on They elect a president who then addresses the country on national television. Children’s festivals take place national television. Children’s festivals take place throughout the country. The state-run Turkish Radio and throughout the country. The state-run Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) brings children, aged eight to Television Corporation (TRT) brings children, aged eight to 14, from different countries around the world to Turkey. 14, from different countries around the world to Turkey. These children stay with Turkish families for a week and These children stay with Turkish families for a week and participate in children’s festivals, which culminate is a gala-participate in children’s festivals, which culminate is a gala-performance on April 23.performance on April 23.

Public lifePublic life

National Sovereignty and Children’s National Sovereignty and Children’s Day is an official holiday in Turkey. Day is an official holiday in Turkey. Government offices, schools and Government offices, schools and most businesses are closed on this most businesses are closed on this day. Public transport routes may vary day. Public transport routes may vary in the event of street performances. in the event of street performances.

SymbolsSymbols

The most common symbols of National The most common symbols of National Sovereignty and Children’s Day are:Sovereignty and Children’s Day are:

A globe or a circle, symbolizing the world. A globe or a circle, symbolizing the world. A group of children holding hands, A group of children holding hands,

symbolizing unity. symbolizing unity. The Turkish flag, symbolizing Turkish The Turkish flag, symbolizing Turkish

statehood. statehood. These symbols are commonly seen on These symbols are commonly seen on

National Sovereignty and Children’s Day in National Sovereignty and Children’s Day in Turkey.Turkey.

Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day in Turkeyand Sports Day in Turkey

The Commemoration The Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day in Turkey Sports Day in Turkey features state features state ceremonies and ceremonies and sports events sports events throughout the throughout the country on May 19 country on May 19 each year. Young each year. Young Turkish athletes carry Turkish athletes carry the Turkish flag from the Turkish flag from a Black Sea port to a Black Sea port to the country’s capital the country’s capital to commemorate to commemorate Turkey’s War of Turkey’s War of Independence (1919–Independence (1919–1923). 1923).

What do people do?What do people do?

In the run-up to the May 19 celebrations, young Turkish athletes In the run-up to the May 19 celebrations, young Turkish athletes carry the national flag from carry the national flag from Samsun, a Black Sea port from where , a Black Sea port from where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk started Turkey’s War of Independence in Mustafa Kemal Atatürk started Turkey’s War of Independence in 1919, to Ankara, the country’s capital. The marathon usually takes 1919, to Ankara, the country’s capital. The marathon usually takes about 10 days. The Turkish president accepts the flag at a about 10 days. The Turkish president accepts the flag at a ceremony on May 19.ceremony on May 19.

Various sports events take place on May 19 throughout Turkey. Various sports events take place on May 19 throughout Turkey. Many people celebrate this day by watching athletes perform at Many people celebrate this day by watching athletes perform at their local stadiums or by participating in sports events that are their local stadiums or by participating in sports events that are open to the public, such as half-marathons. University students open to the public, such as half-marathons. University students usually prepare special programs for their teachers and parents on usually prepare special programs for their teachers and parents on this day.this day.

Many Turks also observe May 19 as Atatürk’s birthday. Although Many Turks also observe May 19 as Atatürk’s birthday. Although the exact date of his birth is not known, Atatürk used to say he the exact date of his birth is not known, Atatürk used to say he was born on May 19 (referring to his political career). Many people was born on May 19 (referring to his political career). Many people lay wreaths to Atatürk’s monuments and hang Turkish flags lay wreaths to Atatürk’s monuments and hang Turkish flags outside their windows.outside their windows.

Public lifePublic life

The Turkish flag, images of Atatürk The Turkish flag, images of Atatürk and the boat on which he arrived in and the boat on which he arrived in Samsun, as well as images related to Samsun, as well as images related to sports are the symbols of the sports are the symbols of the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day in Turkey.and Sports Day in Turkey.

Ramadan Feast Eve in Ramadan Feast Eve in TurkeyTurkey Many people in Many people in

Turkey renew their Turkey renew their wardrobes and wardrobes and prepare traditional prepare traditional Ramadan desserts Ramadan desserts on the Ramadan on the Ramadan Feast Eve. It is also Feast Eve. It is also an occasion to an occasion to remember and remember and honor the dead. honor the dead.

What do people do?What do people do?

Many people spend the Ramadan Feast Many people spend the Ramadan Feast Eve preparing traditional desserts, such as Eve preparing traditional desserts, such as baklavabaklava, to give to neighbors and friends , to give to neighbors and friends during the Ramadan Feast. Some Turkish during the Ramadan Feast. Some Turkish people shop for new clothes on this day, people shop for new clothes on this day, which they then wear during the holiday.which they then wear during the holiday.

The Ramadan Feast Eve is also an The Ramadan Feast Eve is also an occasion to honor the dead in many occasion to honor the dead in many Turkish households. People may cook a Turkish households. People may cook a special meal, special meal, pişipişi, which consists of large , which consists of large pieces of fried dough, and distribute it to pieces of fried dough, and distribute it to neighbors and the poor in remembrance of neighbors and the poor in remembrance of their deceased relatives. It is also common their deceased relatives. It is also common to visit the cemetery on this day.to visit the cemetery on this day.

SymbolsSymbols

he symbols of the Ramadan Feast Eve he symbols of the Ramadan Feast Eve are the same as the symbols of the are the same as the symbols of the Ramadan Feast, also known in Turkey Ramadan Feast, also known in Turkey as as Şeker BayramıŞeker Bayramı, the Sugar Feast. , the Sugar Feast. They include:They include:

A new moon. A new moon. Traditional desserts or sweets. Traditional desserts or sweets. A cup of Turkish coffee. A cup of Turkish coffee. These symbols can be seen on the These symbols can be seen on the

Ramadan Feast Eve in Turkey.Ramadan Feast Eve in Turkey.

Ramadan Feast in TurkeyRamadan Feast in Turkey

The Ramadan Feast The Ramadan Feast in Turkey is a time in Turkey is a time for visiting relatives for visiting relatives and paying one’s and paying one’s respect to older respect to older people. Many Turks people. Many Turks give away sweets give away sweets and desserts during and desserts during the festival, and the festival, and children may watch children may watch free Turkish free Turkish shadow plays. shadow plays.

What do people do?What do people do?

Many people wake up early on the Many people wake up early on the first day of the Ramadan Feast. They first day of the Ramadan Feast. They put on their best clothes, called put on their best clothes, called bayramlıkbayramlık, which they often buy , which they often buy specifically for the occasion, and have specifically for the occasion, and have a large breakfast. This symbolizes the a large breakfast. This symbolizes the end of the fasting period, which many end of the fasting period, which many Muslims observe during the preceding Muslims observe during the preceding month of Ramadan. month of Ramadan.

SymbolsSymbols

The symbols of the Ramadan Feast The symbols of the Ramadan Feast include:include:

A new moon. A new moon. Sweets or traditional desserts. Sweets or traditional desserts. A cup of Turkish tea or coffee. A cup of Turkish tea or coffee. These symbols can be seen in These symbols can be seen in

artwork related to the Ramadan artwork related to the Ramadan Feast in Turkey.Feast in Turkey.

Victory Day in TurkeyVictory Day in Turkey

Military parades and Military parades and ceremonies at ceremonies at monuments to Mustafa monuments to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who Kemal Atatürk, who founded the Turkish founded the Turkish Republic, are some Republic, are some common ways to common ways to celebrate Victory Day in celebrate Victory Day in Turkey. Turkish flags Turkey. Turkish flags often adorn shops, public often adorn shops, public offices and people's offices and people's houses on this day. houses on this day.

What do people do?What do people do?

Many people in Turkey celebrate Victory Day by Many people in Turkey celebrate Victory Day by attending military parades, which take place in attending military parades, which take place in many big cities throughout the country. Air forces many big cities throughout the country. Air forces celebrate the day with demonstration flights. The celebrate the day with demonstration flights. The jets involved in such flights usually leave a red-jets involved in such flights usually leave a red-and-white trail, symbolizing the Turkish flag.and-white trail, symbolizing the Turkish flag.

Residents and shop owners decorate their Residents and shop owners decorate their windows with Turkish flags and images of Mustafa windows with Turkish flags and images of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. State officials attend a ceremony Kemal Atatürk. State officials attend a ceremony at Atatürk's Mausoleum in Ankara. All promotions at Atatürk's Mausoleum in Ankara. All promotions in the Turkish Armed Forces take place on this in the Turkish Armed Forces take place on this day, and military schools hold annual graduation day, and military schools hold annual graduation ceremonies on August 30.ceremonies on August 30.

SymbolsSymbols

The Turkish flag and images of The Turkish flag and images of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk are the Mustafa Kemal Atatürk are the symbols of Victory Day in Turkey.symbols of Victory Day in Turkey.

Sacrifice Feast Eve in Sacrifice Feast Eve in TurkeyTurkey

Many people in Many people in Turkey do their Turkey do their shopping and shopping and prepare meals for prepare meals for the four-day the four-day Sacrifice Feast Sacrifice Feast during the Sacrifice during the Sacrifice Feast Eve. Some Feast Eve. Some people may people may sacrifice an animal sacrifice an animal in remembrance of in remembrance of their dead relatives their dead relatives on this day. on this day.

What do people do?What do people do?

Many people buy new clothes and prepare some Many people buy new clothes and prepare some meals during the Sacrifice Feast Eve in Turkey. Many meals during the Sacrifice Feast Eve in Turkey. Many people also tidy their houses and make preparations people also tidy their houses and make preparations for guests who may wish to stay overnight during the for guests who may wish to stay overnight during the four-day Sacrifice Feast that follows the Sacrifice four-day Sacrifice Feast that follows the Sacrifice Feast Eve. The head of each household may choose a Feast Eve. The head of each household may choose a sacrificial animal (usually a goat, sheep or cow) for sacrificial animal (usually a goat, sheep or cow) for the Sacrifice Feast on the eve of the festival. People the Sacrifice Feast on the eve of the festival. People who wish to visit relatives in other cities may travel on who wish to visit relatives in other cities may travel on this day.this day.

Some families sacrifice an animal on the Sacrifice Some families sacrifice an animal on the Sacrifice Feast Eve to remember their dead relatives. They give Feast Eve to remember their dead relatives. They give the meat of that animal to the poor or distribute it the meat of that animal to the poor or distribute it among the neighbors. Families may not eat the meat among the neighbors. Families may not eat the meat of an animal they sacrificed on this day. Visiting the of an animal they sacrificed on this day. Visiting the cemetery is also common during the Sacrifice Feast cemetery is also common during the Sacrifice Feast Eve.Eve.

SymbolsSymbols

The most common symbols of the The most common symbols of the Sacrifice Feast Eve in Turkey are a Sacrifice Feast Eve in Turkey are a ram (or a sheep) and a mosque.ram (or a sheep) and a mosque.

Sacrifice Feast in TurkeySacrifice Feast in Turkey

The Sacrifice Feast in The Sacrifice Feast in Turkey is a four-day Turkey is a four-day religious festival. The religious festival. The Sacrifice Feast Sacrifice Feast traditions in Turkey traditions in Turkey include sacrificing an include sacrificing an animal in a special animal in a special ritual, visiting relatives ritual, visiting relatives and helping the poor. and helping the poor.

What do people do?What do people do?

The Sacrifice Feast is one of the oldest The Sacrifice Feast is one of the oldest Islamic holidays in Turkey. It Islamic holidays in Turkey. It commemorates the story about Prophet commemorates the story about Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) who showed obedience Ibrahim (Abraham) who showed obedience to God by agreeing to sacrifice his son. God to God by agreeing to sacrifice his son. God then sent him a ram to be sacrificed then sent him a ram to be sacrificed instead. The Sacrifice Feast comes about 70 instead. The Sacrifice Feast comes about 70 days after the Ramadan Feast. According to days after the Ramadan Feast. According to old belief it is unlucky to get married or old belief it is unlucky to get married or start a new business in the period between start a new business in the period between these two holidays.these two holidays.

SymbolsSymbols

The common symbols of the Sacrifice The common symbols of the Sacrifice Feast in Turkey are a ram (or a Feast in Turkey are a ram (or a sheep) and a mosquesheep) and a mosque

Republic Day in TurkeyRepublic Day in Turkey

Many people in Turkey Many people in Turkey celebrate Republic Day celebrate Republic Day on October 29 by on October 29 by attending attending performances and performances and participating in participating in traditional processions traditional processions with flags and musical with flags and musical bands. The Turkish bands. The Turkish Republic’s founder Republic’s founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk Mustafa Kemal Atatürk proclaimed Republic proclaimed Republic Day as Turkey’s most Day as Turkey’s most important holiday. important holiday.

What do people do?What do people do?

Many people go to local stadiums on October 29 to Many people go to local stadiums on October 29 to watch performances dedicated to Republic Day in watch performances dedicated to Republic Day in Turkey. Such performances usually consist of Turkey. Such performances usually consist of theater sketches, poetry readings and traditional theater sketches, poetry readings and traditional Turkish dances. Many school children participate in Turkish dances. Many school children participate in school performances for parents and teachers. school performances for parents and teachers. Parades may take place in some cities and Parades may take place in some cities and politicians may give public speeches on this day. politicians may give public speeches on this day. Many people also lay wreaths to Atatürk’s Many people also lay wreaths to Atatürk’s monuments or visit Atatürk’s mausoleum in the monuments or visit Atatürk’s mausoleum in the country’s capital, Ankara.country’s capital, Ankara.

In the evening of October 29 many cities have In the evening of October 29 many cities have traditional processions with flags and musical traditional processions with flags and musical bands to commemorate Republic Day in Turkey. bands to commemorate Republic Day in Turkey. The processions usually end with fireworks, which The processions usually end with fireworks, which begin after dark.begin after dark.

SymbolsSymbols

The common symbols of Republic The common symbols of Republic Day in Turkey are:Day in Turkey are:

The Turkish flag. The Turkish flag. Pictures of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Pictures of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. These symbols can be seen on These symbols can be seen on

Republic Day in Turkey.Republic Day in Turkey.