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Religious and National Holidays in Turkey

6/19/2010

National Holidays

Jan 1: New Year´s Day

The Turkish celebrate New Year’s Day very much like anywhere else in the world – with one fascinating difference. Many Turks are confused between New Year’s Day and Christmas Day as it is celebrated in the US and Europe, with many believing the two fall on the same day. For that reason, you may very well see shopkeepers and restaurateurs putting up tinsel, decorating Christmas trees and finalising their Christmas menu on New Year’s Eve!

More on Turkish New Year

 

Apr 23: National Sovereignty and Children´s Day

A truly, lovely and unique celebration marking the birth of modern, secular Turkey – the day Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Turkey’s hero, created the Turkish Grand National Assembly, or Parliament, in 1920. Atatürk dedicated the day to the future of Turkey – its children – and the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day began.  The festival is now marked by week long ceremonies in schools, watched by the nation.  Children also take over parliament and other state roles on this day to ask the questions they think are important about children’s issues.  Even the President, Prime Minister and the Cabinet hand over their jobs to the children’s representatives. The child that becomes President delivers a speech on national television.  The holiday has since become international, with children from around the world visiting Turkey, hosted by families with children of a similar age. Many countries now host their own Children’s Day on different days of the year, but Turkey was the first country to do so. 

Learn more on our sister website Turkey For You: Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

 

May 19: Atatürk Commemoration and Youth & Sports Day

One of the most important days in the Turkish calendar, May 19, 1919 was the day Mustafa Kemal Atatürk – (Atatürk the name given to him by a grateful parliament, meaning Father of the Turks) – landed on the main peninsula of Turkey to begin the War of Independence. The main aim of the holiday is to encourage the youth to preserve the culture and values of Turkey. If you are in Turkey on this day, you’ll see youths singing the national song, playing sports and taking to the streets to parade, joined by locals.

Learn more on our sister website, Turkey For You: Ataturk and the War of Independence

 

August 30: Victory Day, known as Zafer Bayrami

Commemorating the moment when the Turkish, led by Atatürk, repelled the invading Greek army. Millions of Turkish people hang out the national flag in memory of those who gave their lives to save their country. 

 

Oct 29: Republic Day 

On October 29, 1923 Turkey was formally declared a Republic, marking the end of the Ottoman Empire forever. Known as Cumhuriyet Bayram, celebratory events usually begin in the afternoon of the previous day across the country. Cue fireworks, laser shows, torchlight processions and concerts, more formal proceedings in Ankara, as well as parades around the country in which many take part, waving the Turkish flag and chanting the national anthem. The Turkish certainly know how to party! Be wary if you’re trying to get out and about, however, as many of the roads will be closed for the parades. 

Learn more on our sister website, Turkey For You: All about the Ottoman Empire


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