New Year

It is hard to believe, but New Year became a holiday in Turkey only in the eighties of the 20 century. Before this holiday was celebrated only by the representatives of the urban intellectuals from the mid 20th century. The Turks had no idea of celebrating something on January 1. It was an ordinary day...

Holiday homeland

Nevertheless, Turkey is the country that gave the Christmas tree and Santa Claus to the world. The fact is that Santa Claus is Saint Nicholas, who lived and died in Asia Minor. The church in which he served and the house where had spent his last days are preserved until now. By the way, scientists say Santa was a dark-skinned man and rather lean than fat - these facts destroy the established stereotypes... The ancient Hittites invented to decorate Christmas tree in connection with the magical rites of fertility. Later, they became common for the New Year. Today they do not decorate trees in Turkey, although the New Year is celebrated. The fact is this holiday in the country is of the secular nature and the authorities are trying to emphasize this. New Year is celebrated in Istanbul (it is a separate country in Turkey for Turks), Bursa, Izmir, on the coast of Asia Minor... The Turks have fun during this night and all the clubs, restaurants and cafes are working. The only thing that is not recommended to do during the night of December 31 to January 1 is to mix symbols of Christmas with those of the New Year. Turkish people are mostly Muslims, and Christmas is a Christian feast.

The history of the holiday

After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the emergence of the Turkish Republic, Turkey tried to become a part of Europe. This alslo referred to holidays. During the life of Ataturk the New Year was not a holiday right up to 1981. It was January 1 when a holiday was declared in the country (whether to celebrate it or not, it’s your own business). But this holiday is not very clear for the country’s rural areas, because there are people who met with Turkey’s transition to the Gregorian calendar. It was only in 1926. Therefore, the Muslims from the Turkish provinces celebrate in March the Muslim holiday of Nowruz instead of the New Year. This is a celebration of Turkic origin, and the Turks are the descendants of nomadic tribes who came to Asia Minor from the territory of present-day Russia. But we will talk about Nowruz next time, and now let’s get back to the New Year.

How to celebrate

The festivities associated with New Year are primarily held in different places of entertainment. There are lots of them in Istanbul. Needless to say, all foreigners who come to the city celebrate the New Year (up to a million or two!). The traditional meal for the New Year is usually from Ottoman and Turkish cuisine. Alcohol is served in all institutions in Istanbul. Celebrations last till morning, even in the streets. For example, crowds of tourists and Turks celebrate the New Year directly under the open sky on the pedestrian Istiklal Avenue that is in the heart of Taksim area.