May 5th
Hidrellez - Spring Feast

Hidrellez is a seasonal festival in Turkey for the celebration of arrival of spring and awakening of nature and various activities.

In folkloric traditions it is the day on which Prophets Hizir and Ilyas met with each other on earth to awaken the nature. The words Hizir and Ilyas have since fused together pronounced as Hidrellez.

Various practices are performed on Hidrellez night in the belief that Hizir will bring blessing and abundance to the places he visits and the things he touches. Food bowls, pantries and purses are left open. And definitely a window is left open for Hizir to visit the house. Those who want a house, or garden believe that Hizir will help them obtain such things if they make a small model of what they want. Some also hang models and papers on which their wishes are written on a Nahil Tree. It is also a tradition to throw those papers into a running water or sea enabling Hizir to pick them and to carry out the wishes written.

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