Ramazan Bayramı (Eid al-Fitr)

The end of Ramazan is celebrated with a holiday. It starts at sunset on the last day of Ramazan and celebrates the completion of the holy month of fasting.

This year, Ramazan Bayramı (Eid al-Fitr) began on Sunday 24 May and will end on Tuesday 26 May.

The government have imposed a four-day curfew in all 81 provinces of Turkey to maintain control of the virus and millions of Muslims are celebrating Ramazan Bayramı at home.

A very different celebration 

Ramazan Bayramı is a time of renewal and Turkey is accustomed to enthusiastic celebrations and big family gatherings, a ritual that dates back all the way to the Ottoman era.

Last year, with many hotels at 100% occupancy over the holiday period, the roads and beaches in and around the area were extremely busy, with the road to Ölüdeniz gridlocked for hours.

This year, the hotels remain closed and the roads are empty.

Turkey’s Muslims visit mosques to offer prayers during the first day of Eid al-Fitr.

This year, the mosques around Turkey ring out the call to prayer but remain empty as, for the first time ever, citizens experience the sadness of not being able to perform the Eid prayer in the mosque.

During the holiday, people visit relatives and friends, and may also go to the graveyards to pay their respect to the deceased. 

This year, the graveyards remain empty. Fresh flowers, some starting to wilt in the heat, bear testament that families have visited their loved ones before the curfew.

It’s an important time for families to be together and the roads are normally full of people doing the rounds of visits to parents, cousins, aunts and in-laws. 

This year, the roads are empty, with the only traffic a tortoise watched by a bemused cat in Taşyaka.

Şeker Bayramı

Ramazan Bayramı is also known as Şeker (Sugar) Bayramı as the emphasis on the first day is on sweet food.

Baklava and şerbet are ever-present; muhallebi (rice pudding) and şeker pare (sweet biscuit) are commonly served. As well as the parade of desserts, there are endless savoury nibbles such as nuts, seeds and pulses.

Baklava and dessert sellers are exempt from the curfew and are offering a takeaway or home delivery service to allow this tradition to continue.

During Ramazan Bayramı it is important to honour the elderly and the younger generation would normally visit the older ones. Kissing the right hand of the elderly and placing it on the forehead is a custom to show respect and greet them for Bayram.

Another tradition is of children going around in their neighbourhood, from door to door and wishing people a happy Bayram. As a reward, they receive candies, chocolates, or even a small amount of money. Another tradition that can’t happen this year!

“Ramazan Bayramınız Mübarek Olsun”

Whilst many people will be spending Eid away from loved ones for the first time ever, we should take comfort in the fact that these are extraordinary circumstances that will, perhaps, never be repeated.

This article was first published on 25 May 2020

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On January 7 2020, the disease was identified by Chinese authorities as a new type of coronavirus, novel coronavirus, or nCoV.

On January 30 2020, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

On March 11 2020 the WHO makes the assessment that COVID-19 can be officially described as a pandemic due to the rapid increase in the number of cases outside China. 

It has brought the global economy to a standstill, with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projecting global growth will fall to -3% percent this year.

On March 11 2020, the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Turkey.

Since the first case was confirmed in Turkey, the virus has reached every corner of the country, all 81 provinces. The government have introduced a number of measures to contain Covid-19 without shutting down the economy. 

On March 21 2020, the Ministry of the Interior announced a total curfew for those who are over the age of 65 or chronically ill

On April 3 2020, the curfew was extended to people younger than 20 years old, (those aged between 18 and 20 employed in the public or private sector are exempt from the curfew).

On April 10 2020, the Ministry of the Interior ordered a curfew for the upcoming weekend in the 30 provinces with metropolitan status and Zonguldak, starting from 12:00 am on 11 April and lasting for 48 hours.

On April 13 2020, President Erdoğan announced in an address that, until further notice, such curfews would be in force during subsequent weekends.

Click here for full details of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in Turkey.

Fethiye – in the time of coronavirus

We live and breathe coronavirus news morning, noon and night. It’s the only topic of conversation and, at the moment, we live for the “flattening of the curve”, the first sign that there may be a light at the end of the tunnel.

On weekdays, those of us who are not under total curfew, are able to go out for essential needs and the streets of Fethiye, whilst quieter than usual for the time of year, still have people going about their daily lives – wearing masks and, for the main part, adhering to “social distancing” measures. 

During the total curfews at the weekend, things are completely different.

Armed with written permission to be out, cameras and a bottle of water, Fethiye Times went on an outing to take a look

Deserted streets, shuttered windows, empty shores; here’s our photographic record of Fethiye under curfew.

The streets around Fethiye on Saturday, April 25 were all empty.

The Kordon and Beşkaza Meydanı (Town Square) would usually be a hive of activity on a sunny day, especially at the weekend – all empty.

Only the sound of birds and water lapping at the hulls of the boats in the harbour interrupts the silence. The emptiness is both incredibly sad and comforting at the same time.

This dog had picked his spot and was having an undisturbed snooze in the sun. Completely unperturbed!

Paspatur (Old Town) is reminiscent of a scene from an apocalyptic movie with not a sound to be heard, not even the birds singing – everywhere empty.

Walking through Çarşı 95 – the street is empty.

A trip to the fish market is a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike; chose your fresh fish and have it cooked at one of the surrounding restaurants. Now, the only visitor is a bemused cat, everywhere else is silent – and empty.

Shops, restaurants and cafes are closed up, some with furniture piled away and shutters drawn – all empty.

There were some signs of life from those exempt from the curfew…

Bakers bring bread to people in their homes during curfew.

And gas companies are exempt from the curfew too 

Here’s a video clip for you to see for yourself…

Wandering the streets of an empty Fethiye certainly puts things into perspective and makes you wonder what tomorrow will bring.

Stay safe everyone…

This article was first published on 28 April 2020

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