Attracting 5,000 to 10,000 visitors from across the UK each year, the event is a colourful fusion of tradition, entertainment, and family-friendly activities — a highlight in the cultural calendar for Turkish citizens and guests alike.

This year’s festival promises an unforgettable experience, featuring:

🍽️ Authentic Turkish cuisine and regional delicacies

🥁 A rousing Mehter (Ottoman military band) performance

🏕️ A traditional Oba tent with Ottoman-era beys and Alps

🎨 Displays of handmade fabrics, Ottoman accessories, and Ebru art

🎭 Hacivat & Karagöz shadow theatre and Rafadan Tayfa shows for children

🎶 Enchanting ney and oud performances, Turkish classical music, and concerts

🪗 Live appearances by folk poets and traditional dancers

🎤 Surprise performances by famous Turkish artists

🎉 Children’s theatre and hymn performances by local students

☕ Treats including Turkish coffee, delight, cotton candy, bici bici, roasted corn and more

🏰 Specially designed playgrounds and activity zones for children

The festival serves as a platform to keep cultural values alive, foster community spirit, and introduce Turkish culture to new audiences in a lively and welcoming atmosphere.

Luton TurkFest 2025 invites everyone to be part of this meaningful celebration — a day of unity, discovery, and joy for all ages.

📍 Location: Stockwood Park, Luton

📅 Date: Sunday, 15th June 2025

🕚 Time: 11:00 – 18:00

🎟️ Entry: Free | Open to all

For announcements and updates, follow the Luton Turkish Education and Culture Centre.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083317811889

https://www.facebook.com/lutonturkishcentre

You can read our article about Luton TurkFest 2024 here:

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Turkish Tea (Çay)

Turkish tea, known as çay (pronounced “chai”), is an integral part of Turkish daily life. Recognizable by its deep crimson hue, this black tea is prepared without milk and served in small, tulip-shaped glass cups. A saucer and a small spoon accompany the tea, along with one or two sugar cubes for those who prefer a sweeter taste.

The preparation of Turkish tea is an art form. A çaydanlık—a set of two stacked teapots—is used. The bottom pot holds boiling water, while the top pot contains a concentrated tea brew made from loose tea leaves. This method allows each person to adjust the strength of their tea by mixing the strong brew with hot water. Turkish tea is served everywhere, from homes and workplaces to street-side cafés, making it the most ubiquitous drink in Türkiye.

Turkish Coffee

Turkish coffee is more than just a beverage; it’s a cultural experience. The coffee beans are roasted and then finely ground, almost to a powdery consistency. The ground coffee is mixed with water and sugar (if desired) in a cezve (pronounced “jaz-vay”), a small pot with a long handle, and boiled slowly over low heat.

The result is a rich, thick coffee with a layer of foam on top, served in small cups. The coffee grounds settle at the bottom, and while they’re not meant to be consumed, they play a crucial role in a traditional Turkish custom: fortune-telling. After drinking, the cup is turned upside down on the saucer, and the patterns left by the coffee grounds are interpreted to predict the drinker’s future.

Sherbet

Sherbet is a sweet, refreshing drink made from fruit juices or flower extracts, combined with sugar and water. Served cold, sherbets can be made from a variety of ingredients, including rose petals, sour cherries, lemon, and orange. This drink has a long history in the region and is enjoyed across much of the Muslim world, including Turkey, where it is often served during special occasions and celebrations.

Sherbet’s vibrant colors and fragrant flavors make it a delightful accompaniment to a hot summer day or a festive meal, offering a taste of tradition with each sip.

Ayran

Ayran is a tangy, refreshing yogurt-based drink, made by mixing yogurt with water and a pinch of salt. It’s a staple at Turkish tables, especially during the hot summer months. Ayran is typically served cold and pairs wonderfully with kebabs and other savory dishes, providing a cooling contrast to the rich flavors of Turkish cuisine.

Many Turks prefer homemade ayran, which offers a slightly more tangy flavor and additional health benefits due to its probiotic content. In restaurants, you can often choose between prepackaged ayran or a freshly made, pleasantly foamy version.

Turnip Juice (Şalgam)

Şalgam (pronounced “shul-gum”) is a traditional Turkish drink made from the fermented juice of dark turnips and purple carrots, combined with cracked wheat (bulgur) and spices. It has a distinctive sour and salty taste, which makes it a perfect companion to Türkiye’s hearty, meat-based dishes like kebabs.

This drink is especially popular in the southeastern regions of Türkiye and is often served alongside meals as a palate cleanser and digestive aid.

Pickle Juice (Turşu Suyu)

Another unique Turkish beverage is turşu suyu (pronounced “tour-shu suyu”), or pickle juice. Made from the brine of pickled vegetables, this sour and salty drink is often enjoyed with fish dishes. Besides its distinct taste, pickle juice is valued for its health benefits, including hydration, antioxidant properties, and promoting gut health. It’s even sold prepackaged in many Turkish supermarkets.

Boza

Boza is a thick, creamy drink made from fermented grains such as maize or wheat, mixed with water and sugar. With its slightly sweet and tangy flavor, boza is a popular winter drink in Türkiye. It’s rich in carbohydrates and vitamins, making it a nutritious choice, especially during the colder months.

Traditionally, boza is spiced with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and sometimes enjoyed with roasted chickpeas on top, adding texture and warmth to the drink.

Fresh Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate, or nar, is one of the most cherished fruits in Türkiye, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. Fresh pomegranate juice is widely available throughout the country, especially in larger towns and cities, where street vendors and juice bars serve it freshly pressed.

The juice is vibrant, tart, and packed with antioxidants, making it both a delicious and healthy choice. Often, it’s mixed with other fruit juices like orange, apple, or even kiwi, providing a refreshing burst of flavor.

Kefir

Similar to ayran but with a tangier twist, kefir is a fermented milk drink made with kefir grains. It’s rich in probiotics, which support gut health and improve digestion. Kefir is widely available in Turkish supermarkets, where it’s often enjoyed as a healthy alternative to other dairy drinks.

Salep

Salep is a warm, creamy drink made from the powdered tubers of wild orchids. This exotic beverage is especially popular during the winter months, cherished for its soothing properties, which are believed to help with coughs and bronchitis.

To prepare salep, the powder is mixed with hot milk or water and stirred until it thickens. It’s typically garnished with a sprinkle of cinnamon or ginger, adding a spicy warmth to the drink. Salep is not only a comforting winter beverage but also a key ingredient in traditional Turkish ice cream, known as dondurma.

Türkiye’s diverse range of traditional drinks offers something for every palate, whether you’re looking for something hot or cold, sweet or savory. These beverages are more than just refreshments; they are a window into the country’s rich cultural heritage and a daily ritual that connects people across generations. Whether you’re visiting Türkiye or exploring its flavors from afar, these drinks are essential to understanding and appreciating Turkish culture.

Source: Daily Sabah

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Now in its fourth year, the festival, held at Stockwood Park in Luton, was organized by the Luton Turkish Community Association and supported by Luton Rising, among other sponsors.

The festival’s opening ceremony featured speeches by Executive Chairman at Luton Turkish Community Association Attila Ustun, Mayor of Luton Tahmina Saleem, Turkish Ambassador to the UK Osman Koray Ertaş, House of Lords member Lord Qurban Hussain, and included a symbolic release of pigeons as a message of peace.

The event showcased a lively array of traditional music and dance performances, and attendees were treated to an assortment of rich and diverse Turkish cuisine.

Despite the weather, the community came together in a spirited display of cultural pride and unity, making the event a memorable celebration of Turkish heritage in Luton.

Watch the official video here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/856135949869620

You can find out more about the Luton Turkish Community Association in this article.

Luton Turkish Education and Culture Centre: a community centre for the whole community

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From the bustling streets of Istanbul to the serene countryside villages, the Nazar Boncuğu is a ubiquitous sight, adorning vehicles, pinned to the attire of infants, and gracing the entrances of homes, shops, and offices. Its protective aura extends beyond mere adornment; it’s an emblem of tradition and an unwavering belief in the power of safeguarding against the malevolent forces that lurk in the unseen.

At its core, the belief in the Nazar Boncuğu is rooted in the ancient notion that envy and jealousy can manifest as harmful energies capable of causing misfortune and harm to individuals. Thus, the amulet functions as a potent talisman, deflecting these negative energies and ensuring the well-being of its bearer.

The versatility of the Nazar Boncuğu knows no bounds. Beyond its traditional role as a hanging ornament, it finds expression in various forms of jewelry, including bracelets, earrings, and necklaces, allowing individuals to carry its protective influence wherever they go.

The significance of the Nazar Boncuğu extends beyond mere superstition; it’s deeply ingrained in the fabric of Turkish identity and serves as a tangible reminder of the interconnectedness between belief, culture, and protection. Its presence in everyday life speaks volumes about the resilience of tradition in the face of modernity, as generations continue to embrace its symbolism with unwavering faith.

Yet, like any guardian, the Nazar Boncuğu is not invincible. It is believed that if the amulet cracks or breaks, it has absorbed negative energies meant to harm its wearer. In such instances, it is customary to promptly replace it with a new one, ensuring continuous protection against the unseen forces that threaten to disrupt harmony and well-being.

Sources: Wikipedia/Culture Shock Turkey

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What is the Hand of Fatima?

Similar to the evil eye, the open right-hand symbol known as Hand of Fatima (or Hamsa Hand) is an amulet used for protection against destructive and evil forces since ancient Mesopotamian civilisation times.

The Hamsa (literally meaning five), also known as the Khamsa, the Humes hand, the Hand of Fatima and the Hand of Miriam, is a popular symbol found throughout the Middle East and northern Africa, particularly within the Islamic and Jewish faiths.

In Islamic culture, the five fingers of the hand are associated with the Five Pillars of Islam.

It is believed that it can bring power, blessing and good luck. You also very often see nazar boncuğu (evil eye) and this symbol used together on an amulet to protect against the evil eye.

Up or down?

It can be worn with the fingers pointing up or down, and both are believed to offer its owner happiness, peace, and prosperity, as well as protection from the evil eye.

The Hand of Fatima necklace

Almost all Anatolian (Turkish) jewellery has a special meaning of its own and its own story, and the ‘Hand of Fatima Necklace’ is one of these, a lovely piece of silver and gold from which silver hands are hung and in whose good luck the women of Anatolia (Turkey) believe.

A romantic story

One day Lady Fatima (daughter of the Holy Prophet Mohammed) was cooking helva in a pan in the garden when suddenly the door opened and her husband, Caliph Ali entered along with his new bride. (Islam allowed a man to be married four times).

Fatima was deeply grieved and in confusion dropped the wooden spoon and continued stirring the helva with her hand.

Because of the grief in her heart, she didn’t feel the pain of the hot helva. However, when her husband hurried to her side and exclaimed in surprise “What are you doing there Fatima?” she felt her hand burning and the pain.

Thus it is from that day that the hand of Lady Fatima has been used in the Islamic world as a symbol of patience, abundance, and faithfulness. Girls and women wearing this necklace believe the hand of Lady Fatima will endow them with these qualities.

The Hand of Fatima is most often worn as a necklace but can be found as a decorative element in houses, on key chains, and on other jewellery items, and is quickly gaining popularity as an amulet in baby carriages.

This article was first published on 10 June 2021.

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If you are a frequent visitor to Türkiye you have probably already realised that the people believe in a lot of superstitions. There are many that overlap between the UK and Türkiye , common things like black cats, the number 13 and walking under ladders being bad luck.

There are also many others that you may not have come across before so welcome to our guide to Turkish superstitions.

Nazar Boncuğu

The one most people will have come across is the nazar boncuğu or evil eye. This small, eye-shaped blue and white amulet decorates nearly every vehicle, is pinned to the clothes of babies and put in the doorways of houses, shops and offices. They can also be worn as a bracelet, earrings or necklaces.

Turkish people believe that the evil eye amulet will protect you from bad energy, especially from the envious glares that are believed to cause one harm. Nothing can harm you as long as you are protected with the nazar boncuğu because it will absorb the bad energy. However, if this amulet cracks, this means it has probably done a good job of protecting you and you should immediately replace it with a new one.

Water is thrown after people leaving for a happy return

In Anatolia, it is believed that if you throw water after a person who is leaving, you are wishing them a happy return soon. The water is supposed to make their journey as smooth as possible. It is said “su gibi git, su gibi gel,” which is translated as “go smooth like water and come back as quickly.”

Black Cat

If people in Türkiye see a black cat, they immediately need to hold something black otherwise it can bring bad luck.

Cutting nails

Turkish people have very specific rules when it comes to cutting nails. The belief is that cutting fingers or toenails at night will bring bad luck, poverty and even death to your family.

Turkish Coffee

You should never miss out on the chance to have a cup of Turkish coffee with a friend. It will reward both of you with “40 years of friendship.” After you have finished, you may also make use of the common Turkish practice of having your coffee cups read. “Don’t believe fortune telling, but don’t be left without fortune telling,” it is said.

Knock on Wood

In Türkiye, when someone hears about a bad experience someone else had, he/she may gently pull one earlobe, and knock on wood twice, which means “God save me from that thing”

Make a Wish

Keep your eyes open for “wish trees.” Wherever you see trees with small ribbons or coloured cloths tied to their branches, don’t hesitate to make a wish and do the same. These are “wish trees,” which means that you can expect your wish to come true.

Broken mirror

When a mirror or glass breaks it means that the nazar (evil eye) was so big that it broke an actual object. Of course, the broken items need to be disposed of immediately, preferably somewhere far from the home.

The “right” side

In Türkiye, the right side is the “right” side in the truest sense of the word. Turks traditionally like to start any activity on the right side – this includes getting out of the right side of the bed in the morning, washing the right hand first, and entering a house with the right foot.

When shaking hands or giving something to someone, the right hand must be used. The left hand is considered a sign of bad luck.

The number 40

The number 40 has a special meaning in Turkish culture. Turks believe the number to be lucky, so if you say anything 40 times it will come true.

Throwing out bread is bad luck

Bread (ekmek) is considered sacred in Türkiye and throwing it out is believed to cause serious bad luck. Old bread should be given to birds and it should also be placed safely in the home so it doesn’t come into contact with the floor.

And finally here are a couple you might like…

Washing clothes on a Saturday brings bad luck.

Cleaning the house on a Friday can be unhealthy.

We had such a great response from our readers when we first published this article and asked what other superstitions they were aware of, that we just had to bring you the sequel.

This article was first published on 26 February 2019.

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