The Turkish folk festivalHidrellezis dedicated to welcoming spring and is held on the night of May 5-6. It is generally accepted that on this night the prophets Khizir and Ilya returned spring to the earth. From their names comes the name of the holiday Spring Day Hidrellez.

Celebrating the arrival of spring is a very old tradition, which was first founded by the ancient Romans. In Turkey, this holiday replaced Labor Day on May 1, which was canceled in 1980.

Celebration of Hidrellez Day in Turkey

In Turkey, this holiday is mostly celebrated in rural areas, but recently it has also begun to be celebrated in large cities, such as Istanbul and Antalya.

Children’s holiday Hidrellez

On the eve of this holiday, it is customary to clean the house and prepare festive food (young lamb, kebab, meatloaf, rice, sweets). Young people go out into nature, where they organize folk festivals, jump over fires, write notes and throw them into the water, etc.

In spirit, this holiday is close to Trinity and the green holidays that the Slavs celebrate in June.

In Istanbul and large cities, on this day various concerts, bazaars are held, and tables are set with treats right on the street.