After the Ottoman Empire’s defeat at the end of World War I, Turkey faced occupation by Allied forces. This sparked the Turkish War of Independence, which began in 1919 under the leadership of General Mustafa Kemal.

Victory Day commemorates the Turkish triumph over Greek forces in the Battle of Dumlupınar, fought from August 26–30, 1922, in Kütahya province in western Turkey. This decisive battle determined the overall outcome of the War of Independence (1919–1923).

Although foreign forces finally left Turkey in the autumn of 1922, August 30 is celebrated as the day of Turkey’s definitive victory. The first celebrations took place in a few cities—including Ankara, İzmir, and Afyonkarahisar—on August 30, 1923, and the day became a national holiday in 1935.

The day also honours Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of modern Turkey.

Victory Day is marked with nationwide celebrations, from joyful gatherings across Turkey to commemorations in the northern part of Cyprus. The main ceremony is held at Anıtkabir, Atatürk’s Mausoleum in Ankara, and the Turkish Armed Forces carry out all promotions on this day. Military schools also hold their annual graduation ceremonies on August 30.

On Victory Day, banks, council offices, and the Turkish stock exchange are closed, allowing citizens to join in the celebrations.

Zafer Bayramı Kutlu Olsun!

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This year, Eid al-Adha, which marks the end of the hajj and the second most important religious festivity after Eid al-Fitr, starts on the evening of Thursday, June 5 (arife) and ends on the evening of Monday, June 9.

Government offices, post offices, banks and some supermarkets will be closed during the holiday.

What is the Feast of Sacrifice?

The Feast of Sacrifice is one of the oldest Islamic holidays in Turkey. It commemorates the story (which appears in both the Koran and the Bible) of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) who showed obedience to God by agreeing to sacrifice his son. Once God (Allah) saw his faith he spared the boy and sent him a ram to be sacrificed instead.

What do people do?

Traditionally, on the first day of the Feast, men of each family go to a mosque for a special morning prayer. Then the sacrifice ritual begins. Male, healthy, robust animals are preferred, not only because they’re bigger but also because it is considered great misfortune to kill a pregnant beast.

A halal prayer is recited before the animal is slaughtered and the atmosphere is solemn and respectful.

Families share about two-thirds of the animal’s meat with relatives and neighbours, and they traditionally give about one-third to the poor. This is one of the most important aspects of Kurban Bayramı and many poor families rely upon Kurban charity.

The first meal with the Kurban meat is cooked quickly and simply and eaten reverently.

In recent years, some Turkish people started making donations to charitable organizations instead of sacrificing animals. Many people in Turkey take special care to help the poor during the Sacrifice Feast.

People usually wear their best clothes during the Sacrifice Feast. They welcome guests to their homes or visit relatives or friends during the holiday. Many people in Turkey reserve the first day of the feast for visiting their closest relatives. Young people greet their older relatives and neighbours by kissing their hands as a sign of respect.

If you find yourself in Turkey during Kurban Bayramı, the chances are that you will not actually see the sacrifice of animals unless you head off to the rural areas.

How do I wish someone a happy Eid al-Adha?

Much like other religious celebrations, it is customary to send messages and well wishes to family and friends during Eid al-Adha.

To wish someone a happy Eid, you can simply say “Eid Mubarak”, which means you are wishing them a “blessed Eid.”

Here are a few other ways you can greet people during Kurban Bayramı (Eid al-Adha)

“Kurban Bayramınız kutlu olsun” – Have a happy Feast of Sacrifice
“Kurban Bayramınız mübarek olsun” – Have a blessed Feast of Sacrifice

Or the easiest one to remember…
“Iyi bayramlar” – Happy bayram.

How to cook your Kurban meat

Lamb Kavurma is a Turkish national dish of lamb cooked on Kurban Bayramı.

Roasted Lamb (Kurban Kavurma)

Ingredients

Serves 10

2kg lamb chunks

3 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon thyme

Method

Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the meat and cook over medium heat until sizzling. Cover and simmer gently until the meat is cooked (approximately one hour). Turn the meat over occasionally with a wooden spoon.

Add the salt, pepper and thyme and cook for a further 15 minutes

Serve the hot kavurma with a side dish of rice, bulgur salad or vegetables.

Afiyet olsun

“Kurban Bayramınız mübarek olsun” 

Sources: Hürriyet Daily News/World Food Turkey

This article was updated on May 28, 2025.

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I had the good fortune to visit Chora Church (Church of the Holy Saviour of Chora) in Istanbul before it was re-converted to a mosque (Kariye Camii) last year.  

Built as part of a monastery in the 4^th century, Chora Church suffered from the ravages of time, wars, and earthquakes, and has been repaired and renovated many times since.  

In the early 16^th century, it was converted into a mosque and the frescoes and mosaic artwork were covered in plaster.  (Iconic images are not permitted in the Islamic religion.)   

In 1945, the building was converted into a museum and much of the artwork on the walls and ceilings was restored to its former glory.  The museum was opened to the public in 1958 as Kariye Müzesi.  Due to its “off the beaten path” location, the museum was not as popular as Hagia Sofia, but (in my opinion) the artwork is even more impressive.

The building was re-classified as a mosque in 2020.

For additional information about the history of Chora Church / Kariye Camii and a detailed guide to the artwork, visit:

The Byzantine Legacy – Chora:  https://www.thebyzantinelegacy.com/chora

Church of Chora – Istanbul’s Byzantine Marvel:  http://www.churchofchora.com/ 

The post In Photos: Chora Church / Kariye Camii appeared first on Fethiye Times.

Mustafa Kemal is now more commonly known as Atatürk. His precise birthday isn’t known, but in speeches he referred to May 19th as his birthday, most likely he was referring to the acts of independence, but this means the day is also a time to remember his contributions to modern Turkey.

Following the war of independence, May 19th wasn’t celebrated as an event until 1936, when Atatürk himself suggested that May 19th should be remembered with a holiday focusing on the youth and therefore it became a holiday in 1938 when the ‘Festival of Youth and Sports’ was passed into law. In 1981, to mark the centenary of Ataturk’s birth, the holiday was renamed as ‘Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day’.

The Commemoration features state ceremonies and a variety of events throughout the country, with young people reciting poems and singing the national anthem, there are parades and cultural events with dancing and plays.

Young Turkish athletes carry the Turkish flag from a Black Sea port to the country’s capital to commemorate Turkey’s War of Independence (1919–1923)

Because it’s a public holiday, schools and government buildings are closed for the day, as are many businesses and banks.

Atatürk’ü Anma, Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı Kutlu Olsun

Sources: Wikipedia/Time and Date

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Hıdırellez is regarded as one of the most important seasonal festivals in both Turkey and parts of the Middle East. 

Called the Day of Hızır (Ruz-ı Hızır) in Turkey, Hıdırellez is celebrated as the day on which the prophets Hızır (Al-Khdir) and Ilyas (Elijah) met on Earth.

It is believed that Hızır and Ilyas meet on earth only once every year. While Hızır helps and guides people who are in a difficult situation, and also brings abundance, Ilyas is believed to be the protector of the waters.

It is also believed that, as they symbolise abundance, everywhere they step turns green, and everything they touch becomes more fruitful or healed.

Celebrating Hıdırellez

Turkish communities around the world celebrate Hıdırellez as a spring festival on May 6 while Christians in the Balkans mark it as St. George’s day on April 23.

In the folk calendar used by the people, the year used to be separated into two: summer was between May 6 and Nov. 8, known as the “Days of Hızır”, while winter was between Nov. 8 and May 6, known as the “Days of November”. So May 6, representing the end of winter and the start of summer, is a reason to celebrate.

Across the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, different traditions and rituals have developed, many of which are focused on bringing good luck with the arrival of spring.

While differing greatly from country to country, the event is often marked by the cleaning of homes and clothes, feasting or ceremonies held near open water or shrines.

In the evening of the day before Hıdırellez, people write or draw their wishes — such as a home, car or child — on paper and attach it to a branch of a tree (a rose tree) or bury it under the tree, while some throw it into the sea or a river. Some also bury money under a rose tree for abundance.

Meanwhile, it is considered that eating the first lamb of spring leads to health and recovery. Another belief is boiling flowers or plants and drinking the water to heal diseases, and that the water rejuvenates people and makes them beautiful if they wash with it for 40 days.

Among the Roma community in Turkey’s northwestern province of Çanakkale, there are dancers in colourful clothing and people jump over bonfires for good health.

The roots of the celebration pre-date Islam or Christianity.

An “intangible cultural heritage”

This spring festival was added to UNESCO’s list of “intangible cultural heritage” in 2017.

According to UNESCO, “the rituals have deep-rooted cultural meanings and provide the community with a sense of belonging and cultural identity and an opportunity to strengthen relations.”

Have a look at this amazing video of the Hıdırellez celebrations.

Sources: Hurriyet Daily News/Turkey.Home/Wikipedia

This article was first published on 6 May 2019 and updated on 5 May 2025.

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National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı) commemorates the inauguration of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara on 23 April 1920.

In 1921, to mark the event, 23 April was proclaimed a national holiday.

In 1979 the day started to be called “International Children’s Day” and since its first year, Turkey has hosted thousands of children from 150 different countries over the years.

Celebrations in Fethiye

To mark National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, the children of Fethiye take part in celebrations, organised by FETAV, held at the town square, Beşkaza Meydanı.

On 23 April 2019, Fethiye Times went along to enjoy the celebrations and capture some of the moments from the day.

Wreath setting and a parade

The celebrations started with a wreath-setting ceremony in front of the Atatürk monument in Beşkaza Square.

Fethiye Mayor, Alim Karaca, children and parents, accompanied by the Fethiye Municipality Band, then marched from Özgecan Park, along the kordon, to Beşkaza Meydanı (Fethiye Town Square).

On reaching Beşkaza, there were activities by children and for children

In photos: A celebration of children

A final word from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

“Little ladies, little gentlemen,
You are all the roses, the stars and the sparkling joy of our future, the ones who will elevate the nation.
Always be aware of your value and significance!
And work hard…
We have great expectations from you.”

This article was first published on 24th April 2019.

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Eid Prayers and Traditions

Muslims begin Eid al-Fitr with a special prayer known as Salat al-Eid. Unlike regular daily prayers, there is no audible call to prayer for this service. Worshippers gather in mosques or open spaces to perform two units of prayer (Rakat), followed by a sermon in which the imam prays for forgiveness, mercy, and peace for all.

It is customary to wear new clothes for the occasion. On the way to the mosque, many Muslims eat something sweet, such as a date, and recite a short prayer known as the takbeer.

Eid is a time of gratitude, with Muslims giving thanks to Allah for the strength and self-discipline they demonstrated during Ramadan. Key elements of the celebration include giving to the poor (Zakat al-Fitr), exchanging Eid greetings, and spending time with family.

Family, Reflection, and Traditions in Türkiye

A central part of Ramazan Bayramı is visiting family, particularly elderly relatives, and showing respect by kissing their hands. Children often go door to door, greeting elders in exchange for sweets and small gifts of money.

Many families also visit the graves of loved ones, paying their respects and reflecting on those who are no longer present to share in the festivities.

Şeker Bayramı – The Sugar Feast

In Türkiye, Ramazan Bayramı is also known as Şeker Bayramı (the Sugar Feast) because sweets and traditional desserts play a major role in celebrations. Shops and supermarkets are often stocked with chocolates and treats in preparation for the holiday.

On the first day, the emphasis is on sweet foods. Baklava and şerbet (sweet syrup-based drinks) are commonly served, alongside treats such as muhallebi (rice pudding) and şeker pare (sweet biscuits). In addition to desserts, a variety of savoury snacks like nuts, seeds, and pulses are also enjoyed.

Key Information for 2025

This year, Ramazan Bayramı will be celebrated from Sunday, March 30, to Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced that the Ramazan holiday will be extended to nine days for public employees. As part of this decision, public sector workers will be on administrative leave from April 2 to April 4, following the official holiday period.

During the holiday, government offices, schools, post offices, banks, and some supermarkets will be closed. Travel can be particularly busy, especially on the first and last days, as people either return to their family homes or head off on holiday.

How to Greet Someone During Ramazan Bayramı

The most common greeting among Muslims on Eid is “Eid Mubarak”, meaning “Blessed Festival”. The appropriate response is “Khair Mubarak”, which conveys good wishes in return.

In Türkiye, you may hear people say:

“Bayramınız Kutlu Olsun” – “May Your Feast Be Blessed”

“İyi Bayramlar” – “Good Holidays” (a simple and widely accepted greeting)

“Ramazan Bayramınız Kutlu Olsun” – “May Your Ramadan Feast Be Blessed”

Whatever the greeting, the spirit of Ramazan Bayramı is one of joy, generosity, and togetherness.

Article updated on 27 March, 2025

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The night is one of the most cherished in the religion of Islam. It is described to be better than a thousand months of worshipping

Muslims gather for collective prayers and recite the Quran together on that night.

“Whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allah) on the Night of Destiny, fully believing (in Allah’s promise of reward) and hoping to seek reward, he shall be forgiven for his past sins,” Muhammad is also quoted as saying.

The gates of heaven are opened wide, angels walk the earth and the demons of Hell are chained in their fiery pits.

It is also a night of forgiveness when good deeds performed are “better than the deeds of 1000 months which do not contain a Night of the Decree.” 

The anniversary of that night or the birthday of the Quran became the holiest moment in the Muslim calendar (Kadir Gecesi).

This year, Kadir Gecesi falls on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, beginning at sunset in the evening and lasting until the following evening:

Click here to read more about Kadir Gecesi

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When is Ramazan?

The Islamic calendar is based on lunar cycles, not the Gregorian calendar, which is why the exact date of Ramazan changes each year. As a result, the Holy month of Ramazan falls approximately 10 days earlier each year in the Gregorian calendar.

Ramazan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and only begins when the new moon is sighted, ending either 29 or 30 days later when the next new moon is sighted.

This year Ramazan begins on Monday March 1, 2025, and will end on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

What is Ramazan?

People, and certainly non-Muslims, associate this holy month purely with fasting (oruç). But Ramazan is more than that. Keeping Ramazan is one of the five pillars (basic duties) of the Muslim faith.

It is intended to bring Muslims closer to God and teach them about patience, spirituality, and humility. Hence fasting, to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. It also teaches Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate and encourage actions of generosity and charity.

Fasting

Fasting is the religious duty of all Muslims and it means not letting anything pass or even touch the lips. Starting from the twilight before sunrise (the first call to prayer) until the twilight after sunset, no food, drink, tobacco smoke, chewing gum or any other thing that involves the mouth is allowed.

Some people are exempt from fasting: children until the age of puberty, pregnant women, travellers, the elderly and people that are chronically ill.

Sahur

During Ramazan, Muslims wake up well before dawn to eat the pre-dawn meal or sahur. In some cities, Ramazan drummers will be on the streets to help the fasting faithful wake up on time to eat before the onset of the daily fast.

Sahur is the most important meal during Ramazan since it has to last until sunset. This means eating lots of high-protein foods and drinking as much water as possible right up until dawn, after which you can’t eat or drink anything.

Iftar

The day of fasting is over at sunset. The exact minute that it’s ok to eat iftar is signalled by the fourth call to prayer at dusk. Hungry people may start the evening with a light snack. This light meal, consisting of freshly-baked Ramazan pide bread, pickled vegetables, olives and other easily-prepared edibles is often enjoyed in a group with family members and/or friends.

More elaborate dinners are normally held later in the evening or at night, but some people just go for it right from the start.

Ramazan etiquette

Even though many Turks don’t fast for Ramazan, they are sensitive to those who are fasting around them. As a visitor, it’s best to be considerate by not eating in public during daylight, especially in rural areas of more traditional cities. Be patient with the hungry Turks you encounter – fasters can be a bit on the grumpy side.

Some restaurants which normally serve alcoholic beverages may not do so during Ramazan.

Ramazan greeting

Throughout Ramadan, it is polite to greet people by saying “Ramadan Mubarak” (“Hayırlı Ramazanlar” in Turkish), meaning “Have a blessed Ramadan.”

Celebrate with the locals

Various events take place during Ramazan so keep your eyes (and ears) open when you’re out and about in the evenings. Join in the festivities to celebrate the holy month with local people.

27th night of Ramadan  – Kadir Gecesi (Laylat al-Qadr)

The 27th night of Ramadan is called Kadir Gecesi, the Night of Power.

The greatest night of the Muslim year, this is the sanctified night when the history of Islam began, the night on which the first verses of the Koran are believed to have been revealed to Prophet Muhammed in Mecca in the year 610 AD.

The night is one of the most cherished in the religion of Islam. It is described to be better than a thousand months of worshipping

Muslims gather for collective prayers and recite the Quran together on that night.

“Whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allah) on the Night of Destiny, fully believing (in Allah’s promise of reward) and hoping to seek reward, he shall be forgiven for his past sins,” Muhammad is also quoted as saying.

The gates of heaven are opened wide, angels walk the earth and the demons of Hell are chained in their fiery pits.

It is also a night of forgiveness when good deeds performed are “better than the deeds of 1000 months which do not contain a Night of the Decree.” 

The anniversary of that night or the birthday of the Quran became the holiest moment in the Muslim calendar (Kadir Gecesi).

This year, Kadir Gecesi falls on the evening of Wednesday 26 March, 2025, beginning at sunset in the evening and lasting until the following evening.

Eid al-Fitr/Ramazan Bayramı (Şeker Bayramı)

The end of Ramazan is celebrated with a holiday, Eid al-Fitr, also known as Ramazan Bayramı or Şeker Bayramı. It starts at sunset on the last day of Ramazan and celebrates the completion of the holy month of fasting.

This year, Ramazan Bayramı will begin on Sunday, 30 March 2025 and end on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

The half-day “preparation” (arife) holiday will take place on Saturday, 31 March 2025. Shops, offices, and many other establishments may be closed.

“Hayırlı Ramazanlar”

Further reading: Ramadan: Sacred time of reflection, renewal, connection

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Perched on the mountainsides overlooking Fethiye, the awe-inspiring Lycian Rock Tombs stand as a testament to their beliefs and craftsmanship. These elaborate structures, carved directly into the cliffs, resemble grand entrances leading into the heart of the mountain. In reality, they serve as the final resting places for the honoured dead, reflecting the Lycians’ reverence for their ancestors and their vision of the afterlife.

The Tomb of Amyntas

The most remarkable of these tombs was constructed by the Lycians in 350 BC. It is named after the Greek inscription etched onto its facade, which reads “Amyntou tou Ermagiou”, translating to “Amyntas, son of Hermagios” in English.

What sets the Tomb of Amyntas apart is its impressive interior size. Unlike many other rock-cut tombs, which tend to be relatively small, this one boasts a vast chamber with dimensions comparable to a full-sized temple, highlighting the Lycians’ extraordinary craftsmanship and architectural ambition.

Tomb of Amyntas in the 21st Century

oday, the Tomb of Amyntas overlooks a very different Fethiye from the one that existed in 350 BC. While the landscape remains breathtakingly beautiful, the ancient Lycians would undoubtedly notice a few changes.

Visitors can either admire the tomb from a distance or pay a small entrance fee to climb the 200 steps for a closer look. The effort is well worth it—sitting on the grand steps of this iconic monument, taking in the stunning views, and reflecting on the legacy of Hermagios’ son is a truly unforgettable experience.

Lycian Rock Tombs: A Glimpse into an Ancient Belief

The Lycians held a unique belief that their dead were carried to the afterlife by magical winged creatures. To aid this journey, they placed their honoured deceased in elevated locations, such as the cliffsides overlooking their lands.

Dating back to the 4th century BC, Lycian rock tombs are the most numerous and visually striking of all Lycian burial types. In some areas, the sheer number of tombs is so vast that entire hillsides appear honeycombed with them.

The earliest tombs were little more than simple cavities carved into the rock. While their exteriors are often grand and intricately designed to resemble the façades of temples or houses, the interiors are surprisingly modest—plain chambers cut into the stone, with only a single monolithic platform to display the body. Centuries of looting have left these tombs mostly empty, but their imposing presence endures.

Though much about the Lycians remains a mystery, one thing is certain: they ensured their dead would rest in magnificent locations, with a breathtaking view for all eternity.

This article was first published on 4 October 2018 and updated on 3 February 2025

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