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PUBLIC, NATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS IN TURKEY in 2013

Tuesday Jan 1 New Year's Day National holiday
New Year’s Day in Turkey starts with fireworks after the traditional countdown at the end of the New Year’s Eve. Celebrations usually last until dawn and many people use the day off on January 1 to relax and visit friends and relatives.

People living in big cities in Turkey traditionally celebrate the New Year in city squares, from where they can watch fireworks at midnight between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Small-town residents often try to come to bigger cities for the celebrations. In Istanbul, for example, many residents and visitors participate in festivities at Taksim Square.


Tuesday Apr 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day National holiday
Solemn ceremonies and children’s festivals take place throughout Turkey on National Sovereignty and Children’s Day, held on April 23 each year. Children take seats in the Turkish Parliament and symbolically govern the country for one day.
Many people in Turkey commemorate the first gathering of the Grand National Assembly (the Turkish Parliament), which took place on April 23, 1920, by attending local ceremonies or laying wreaths at monuments of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. The biggest ceremony takes place at the Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara.

Because Ataturk reportedly dedicated the Turkish Republic to children, Turkish schoolchildren take seats in the Parliament for the day and symbolically govern the country. They elect a president who then addresses the country on national television. Children’s festivals take place throughout the country. The state-run Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) brings children, aged eight to 14, from different countries around the world to Turkey. These children stay with Turkish families for a week and participate in children’s festivals, which culminate is a gala-performance on April 23.
National Sovereignty and Children’s Day is an official holiday in Turkey. Government offices, schools and most businesses are closed on this day. Public transport routes may vary in the event of street performances.


Wednesday May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day National holiday
Labor and Solidarity Day in Turkey is an occasion for some people to demand better conditions for skilled laborers and union workers. Many others use the day to relax and see their friends and relatives.
Some people in Turkey participate in demonstrations on Labor and Solidarity Day. They may demand better conditions for skilled laborers and union workers, or protest the government's policies. If the demonstrators gather in unsanctioned places, the police may try to disperse the crowd.

People who do not participate in political demonstrations try to avoid public gatherings on May 1 because demonstrations sometimes end in violence. Many people use the day off to have a picnic and spend time with friends and relatives.
Labor and Solidarity Day, observed on May 1, is an official holiday in Turkey. Administration buildings, schools and post offices are usually closed on this day. However, many businesses remain open. Public transport routes may vary in the event of street protests. Visitors should consider avoiding the demonstrations, as they may end up in violence.


Sunday May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day National holiday
The Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day in Turkey features state ceremonies and sports events throughout the country on May 19 each year. 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).
In the run-up to the May 19 celebrations, young Turkish athletes carry the national flag from Samsun, a Black Sea port from where Mustafa Kemal Atatürk started Turkey’s War of Independence in 1919, to Ankara, the country’s capital. The marathon usually takes about 10 days. The Turkish president accepts the flag at a ceremony on May 19.

Various sports events take place on May 19 throughout Turkey. Many people celebrate this day by watching athletes perform at their local stadiums or by participating in sports events that are open to the public, such as half-marathons. University students usually prepare special programs for their teachers and parents on this day.

Many Turks also observe May 19 as Atatürk’s birthday. Although the exact date of his birth is not known, Atatürk used to say he was born on May 19 (referring to his political career). Many people lay wreaths to Atatürk’s monuments and hang Turkish flags outside their windows.
The founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, arrived in Samsun on May 19, 1919, to start a popular uprising against the decision of the World War I allies to divide many territories of the defeated Ottoman Empire. Turkey presently accepts the date of Atatürk’s arrival in Samsun as the starting date of the Turkish War of Independence. Following Atatürk’s wish, the Turkish government declared May 19 to be Youth and Sports Day and made it an official holiday in 1938. The day received its present name, the “Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day”, in 1981, which became the 100th anniversary of Atatürk’s birth.


Friday Jun 21 June Solstice Season

Wednesday Aug 7 Ramadan Feast Eve Half Day
Many people in Turkey renew their wardrobes and prepare traditional Ramadan desserts on the Ramadan Feast Eve. It is also an occasion to remember and honor the dead.
Many people spend the Ramadan Feast Eve preparing traditional desserts, such as baklava, to give to neighbors and friends during the Ramadan Feast. Some Turkish people shop for new clothes on this day, which they then wear during the holiday.

The Ramadan Feast Eve is also an occasion to honor the dead in many Turkish households. People may cook a special meal, pişi, which consists of large pieces of fried dough, and distribute it to neighbors and the poor in remembrance of their deceased relatives. It is also common to visit the cemetery on this day.

The Ramadan Feast Eve can be an official holiday in Turkey if it falls on Monday, Friday or Saturday. If it occurs in the middle of the week, many workers get half a day off. Administration buildings, schools and post offices may be closed for the entire day or in the afternoon on this day. There may be traffic congestion on highways, as many people travel to other cities to visit their relatives.

The Ramadan Feast Eve is the last day of Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Each month in the Islamic calendar begins with the first sighting of the new moon. The Ramadan Feast Eve and the Ramadan Feast usually occur 10 days earlier than in the previous year, according to the Gregorian calendar.

Caliph Umar (spelled as Ömer in Turkish) introduced the Islamic calendar around 640 CE. The calendar starts its count from 622 CE, the year in which Islamic prophet Muhammed (the Turkish spelling) moved from Mecca to Medina. The origins of observing the Ramadan Feat Eve go back to the Qur'an.


Thursday Aug 8 Ramadan Feast National holiday
The Ramadan Feast in Turkey is a time for visiting relatives and paying one’s respect to older people. Many Turks give away sweets and desserts during the festival, and children may watch free Turkish shadow plays.
Many people wake up early on the first day of the Ramadan Feast. They put on their best clothes, called bayramlık, which they often buy specifically for the occasion, and have a large breakfast. This symbolizes the end of the fasting period, which many Muslims observe during the preceding month of Ramadan.

The Ramadan Feast has an alternative name in Turkey, the Sugar Feast (Şeker Bayramı), because people treat their guests to sweets and traditional desserts during the festival. It is customary to visit one's relatives, especially older ones, and kiss their hand as a sign of respect. Children may go door-to-door, kissing hands of the grown-ups and receiving sweets and small amounts of money in return.

Turkish shadow plays, such as Karagöz and Hacivat, are popular during the Ramadan Feast, and children can watch these plays at fairs free of charge. In a more recent tradition, some people use the official holiday to travel abroad or go to Turkish resorts.

The Ramadan Feast is an official holiday that continues for three days in Turkey. Administration buildings, schools and most businesses are closed during this period. Public transport may run less frequently, and fares are usually lower compared to regular days. Highways may be overcrowded, especially in the morning of the first day and in the afternoon of the last day of the Ramadan Feast, as many people travel on these days.

The Ramadan Feast is the first day of Shawwal, which is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. Each month in the Islamic calendar begins with the first sighting of the new moon. As a result, the exact dates of the Ramadan Feast change every year, according to the Gregorian calendar. Celebrating the Ramadan Feast after a month of fasting is one of the earliest and most important traditions of Islam.


Friday Aug 9 Ramadan Feast Day 2 Extra Public Holiday

Saturday Aug 10 Ramadan Feast Day 3 Extra Public Holiday

Friday Aug 30 Victory Day National holiday
Military parades and ceremonies at monuments to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who founded the Turkish Republic, are some common ways to celebrate Victory Day in Turkey. Turkish flags often adorn shops, public offices and people's houses on this day.
Many people in Turkey celebrate Victory Day by attending military parades, which take place in many big cities throughout the country. Air forces celebrate the day with demonstration flights. The jets involved in such flights usually leave a red-and-white trail, symbolizing the Turkish flag.

Residents and shop owners decorate their windows with Turkish flags and images of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. State officials attend a ceremony at Atatürk's Mausoleum in Ankara. All promotions in the Turkish Armed Forces take place on this day, and military schools hold annual graduation ceremonies on August 30.

Victory Day is a national public holiday in Turkey on August 30. Administration buildings and schools are closed on this day. Workers in private companies may have a day off or work until noon, but most large supermarkets and shops stay open. Public transport routes may vary in the event of street parades.

Victory Day in Turkey commemorates the key Turkish victory against Greek forces in the Battle of Dumlupınar (August 26-30, 1922). The outcome of the battle, which took place in Kütahya province in western Turkey, determined the overall outcome of the Turkish War of Independence (1919-1923).

Although foreign forces left the country for good in the autumn (or fall) of 1922, Turkish people accept August 30 as the date of the Turkish troops’ overall victory. Victory Day was first celebrated in only a few cities in Turkey – such as Ankara, Izmir and Afyonkarahisar – on August 30, 1923. It became a national holiday in 1935.


Sunday Sep 22 September equinox Season


Monday Oct 14 Sacrifice Feast Eve Half Day

Many people in Turkey do their shopping and prepare meals for the four-day Sacrifice Feast during the Sacrifice Feast Eve. Some people may sacrifice an animal in remembrance of their dead relatives on this day.

Many people buy new clothes and prepare some meals during the Sacrifice Feast Eve in Turkey. Many people also tidy their houses and make preparations for guests who may wish to stay overnight during the four-day Sacrifice Feast that follows the Sacrifice Feast Eve. The head of each household may choose a sacrificial animal (usually a goat, sheep or cow) for the Sacrifice Feast on the eve of the festival. People who wish to visit relatives in other cities may travel on this day.

Some families sacrifice an animal on the Sacrifice Feast Eve to remember their dead relatives. They give the meat of that animal to the poor or distribute it among the neighbors. Families may not eat the meat of an animal they sacrificed on this day. Visiting the cemetery is also common during the Sacrifice Feast Eve.

The afternoon of the Sacrifice Feast Eve is an official holiday in Turkey. Administration buildings, schools and post offices are usually closed, although shops and supermarkets generally stay open. Public transport schedules may vary. Traffic congestion on highways may occur because many people travel to other cities during the Sacrifice Feast Eve.

People in Muslim countries, such as Turkey, determine the date of the Sacrifice Feast Eve (as well as the Sacrifice Feast) using the lunar-based Islamic calendar. The festival begins on the 10th day of the 12th month of this calendar. The Sacrifice Feast commemorates the story of Ibrahim (Abraham), who sacrificed a ram after showing his willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. The tradition to prepare for the Sacrifice Feast on the eve of the festival goes back to the Qur'an.


Tuesday Oct 15 Sacrifice Feast National holiday
Wednesday Oct 16 Sacrifice Feast Day 2 Extra Public Holiday
Thursday Oct 17 Sacrifice Feast Day 3 Extra Public Holiday


Monday Oct 28 Republic Day Eve Half Day


Tuesday Oct 29 Republic Day National holiday

Many people in Turkey celebrate Republic Day on October 29 by attending performances and participating in traditional processions with flags and musical bands. The Turkish Republic’s founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk proclaimed Republic Day as Turkey’s most important holiday.
Many people go to local stadiums on October 29 to watch performances dedicated to Republic Day in Turkey. Such performances usually consist of theater sketches, poetry readings and traditional Turkish dances. Many school children participate in school performances for parents and teachers. Parades may take place in some cities and politicians may give public speeches on this day. Many people also lay wreaths to Atatürk’s monuments or visit Atatürk’s mausoleum in the country’s capital, Ankara.

In the evening of October 29 many cities have traditional processions with flags and musical bands to commemorate Republic Day in Turkey. The processions usually end with fireworks, which begin after dark.

Republic Day is an official national holiday in Turkey. Public administration buildings, schools, post offices and many small businesses are usually closed on this day. Public transport schedules may vary. Public transport routes may change in the event of street performances and processions. The afternoon of the previous day, October 28, is also an official holiday.

Republic Day marks the creation of the Turkish Republic in 1923. After Turkey’s victory in the War of Independence (1919-1923), the Turkish parliament proclaimed the new Turkish state as a republic. A new constitution, which the parliament adopted on October 29, 1923, replaced the constitution of the Ottoman Empire. The leader in the Turkish War of Independence, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, became the country’s first president on the same day. According to Atatürk, Republic Day is Turkey’s most important holiday.


Saturday Dec 21 December Solstice Season


Tuesday Dec 31 New Year's Eve

New Year’s Eve is one of the most popular holidays in Turkey. The New Year’s Eve traditions in this country include a family dinner, a national lottery drawing and a countdown to midnight. New Year’s Eve falls on December 31 in the Gregorian calendar.
Many people in Turkey start celebrating New Year’s Eve with a large family dinner. The main course is traditionally a roasted turkey. Variety shows on television begin in late afternoon and continue until early morning of the next day. Many people play games while waiting for the clock to strike midnight. State TV channels announce the winning numbers of a New Year’s national lottery just before midnight. Many people in Turkey try to buy a New Year’s lottery ticket because it promises a large sum of money to the winner. Many people also congratulate each other, toast to a New Year and exchange small gifts at midnight between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Hotels, restaurants and nightclubs offer special entertainment programs on New Year’s Eve. Most places require early reservations. Some people go to city centers late on December 31 to watch the traditional fireworks. New Year’s Eve ends with a countdown to announce the arrival of a new year, and celebrations continue until the morning of January 1.

New Year’s Eve is not an official holiday, although many workers get half a day off. Administration buildings, schools and post offices may be closed in the in the afternoon of December 31. Supermarkets may also close earlier than usual. Many people celebrate New Year’s Eve in city centers, so traffic may be intense in the evening of December 31.

December 31 became the last day of a calendar year in Turkey in 1926 when this country started using the Gregorian calendar. Turkey and the Ottoman Empire used a solar-based Islamic calendar (Rumi takvim) prior to 1926. New Year’s Eve became a popular holiday in Turkey after the Turkish parliament made January 1 (New Year’s Day) an official holiday in 1935. Turkey has borrowed many of New Year’s Eve traditions from western celebrations of Christmas and Thanksgiving during the 1920s and 1930s.

PUBLIC, NATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS IN TURKEY in 2012

Sunday, 1 January
New Year’s Day (Yılbaşı) – National Holiday – First day of the new year

Monday, 23 April
National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (Ulusal Eğemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı) – National Holiday – Commemoration of the first opening of gthe Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara (1920). Dedicated to the children.

Tuesday, 1 May
Labor and Solidarity Day (Emek ve Dayanışma Günü) – National Holiday

Saturday, 19 May
Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth & Sports Day (Atatürk’ü Anma Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı) – National Holiday – The arrival of Atatürk in Samsun in 1919, the beginning of the War of Independence. Dedicated to the youth.

Saturday, 18 August
Sugar Feast’s Eve (Ramazan Bayramı Arifesi) – Religious Holiday – ½ day

Sunday, 19 – Tuesday, 21 August
Sugar Feast (Ramazan Bayramı) – Religious Holidays – Three-day festival to celebrate the end of fasting (Ramadan) where plenty of sweets are eaten.

Thursday, 30 August
Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı) – National Holiday – Victory over the allied forces during the final battle in Dumlupınar in 1922, ending the War of Independence. Dedicated to the armed forces.

 

Saturday, 6 October
Liberation of Istanbul (İstanbul’un Kurtuluşu) – Regional Holiday – Anniversary of the liberation of Istanbul by Turkish armed forces during the War of Independence.

Wednesday, 24 October
Feast of the Sacrifice’s Eve (Kurban Bayramı Arifesi) – Religious Holiday – ½ day

Thursday, 25 – Sunday, 28 October
Feast of the Sacrifice (Kurban Bayramı) – Religious Holidays – Four-day festival where sheep are sacrificed/slaughtered and their meat is distributed to the poor

Sunday, 28 October
Republic Day’s Eve (Cumhuriyet Bayramı Arifesi) – National Holiday – ½ day

Monday, 29 October
Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) – National Holiday – Anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish Republic in 1923.

Public & Religious Holidays in 2013

Tuesday, 1 January
New Year’s Day (Yılbaşı) – National Holiday – First day of the new year.

Tuesday, 23 April
National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (Ulusal Eğemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı) – National Holiday – Commemoration of the first opening of gthe Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara (1920). Dedicated to the children.

Wednesday, 1 May
Labor and Solidarity Day (Emek ve Dayanışma Günü) – National Holiday.

Sunday, 19 May
Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth & Sports Day (Atatürk’ü Anma Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı) – National Holiday – The arrival of Atatürk in Samsun in 1919, the beginning of the War of Independence. Dedicated to the youth.

Wednesday, 7 August
Sugar Feast’s Eve (Ramazan Bayramı Arifesi) – Religious Holiday – ½ day.

Thursday, 8 August – Saturday, 10 August
Sugar Feast (Ramazan Bayramı) – Religious Holidays – Three-day festival to celebrate the end of fasting (Ramadan) where plenty of sweets are eaten.

Friday, 30 August
Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı) – National Holiday – Victory over the allied forces during the final battle in Dumlupınar in 1922, ending the War of Independence. Dedicated to the armed forces.

Sunday, 6 October
Liberation of Istanbul (İstanbul’un Kurtuluşu) – Regional Holiday – Anniversary of the liberation of Istanbul by Turkish armed forces during the War of Independence.

Monday, 14 October
Feast of the Sacrifice’s Eve (Kurban Bayramı Arifesi) – Religious Holiday – ½ day.

Tuesday, 15 – Friday, 18 October
Feast of the Sacrifice (Kurban Bayramı) – Religious Holidays – Four-day festival where sheep are sacrificed/slaughtered and their meat is distributed to the poor.

Monday, 28 October
Republic Day’s Eve (Cumhuriyet Bayramı Arifesi) – National Holiday – ½ day.

Tuesday, 29 October
Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) – National Holiday – Anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish Republic in 1923.

Public & Religious Holidays in 2014

Wednesday, 1 January
New Year’s Day (Yılbaşı) – National Holiday – First day of the new year.

Wednesday, 23 April
National Sovereignty and Children’s Day (Ulusal Eğemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı) – National Holiday – Commemoration of the first opening of gthe Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara (1920). Dedicated to the children.

Thursday, 1 May
Labor and Solidarity Day (Emek ve Dayanışma Günü) – National Holiday.

Monday, 19 May
Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth & Sports Day (Atatürk’ü Anma Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı) – National Holiday – The arrival of Atatürk in Samsun in 1919, the beginning of the War of Independence. Dedicated to the youth.

Sunday, 27 July
Sugar Feast’s Eve (Ramazan Bayramı Arifesi) – Religious Holiday – ½ day.

Monday, 28 – Wednesday, 30 July
Sugar Feast (Ramazan Bayramı) – Religious Holidays – Three-day festival to celebrate the end of fasting (Ramadan) where plenty of sweets are eaten.

Saturday, 30 August
Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı) – National Holiday – Victory over the allied forces during the final battle in Dumlupınar in 1922, ending the War of Independence. Dedicated to the armed forces.

Friday, 3 October
Feast of the Sacrifice’s Eve (Kurban Bayramı Arifesi) – Religious Holiday – ½ day.

Saturday, 4 – Tuesday, 7 October
Feast of the Sacrifice (Kurban Bayramı) – Religious Holidays – Four-day festival where sheep are sacrificed/slaughtered and their meat is distributed to the poor.

Monday, 6 October
Liberation of Istanbul (İstanbul’un Kurtuluşu) – Regional Holiday – Anniversary of the liberation of Istanbul by Turkish armed forces during the War of Independence.

Monday, 28 October
Republic Day’s Eve (Cumhuriyet Bayramı Arifesi) – National Holiday – ½ day.

Wednesday, 29 October
Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı) – National Holiday – Anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish Republic in 1923.

Note : Banks are closed during all holidays ; national and religious.

PUBLIC, NATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS HOLDAYS IN TURKEY in 2013


January 1 New Years Day
April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day
May 1 Labour Day
May 19 Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day
August 8 Ramazan Feast Date varies on Lunar cycle
August 9 Ramazan Feast Date varies on Lunar cycle
August 10 Ramazan Feast Date varies on Lunar cycle
August 30 Victory Day
October 15 Sacrifice Feast Date varies on Lunar cycle
October 16 Sacrifice Feast Date varies on Lunar cycle
October 17 Sacrifice Feast Date varies on Lunar cycle
October 18 Sacrifice Feast Date varies on Lunar cycle
October 29 Republic Day Oct 28th is a Halfday holiday in the afternoon

PUBLIC, NATIONAL AND RELIGIOUS HOLDAYS IN TURKEY in 2014

January 1 New Years Day
April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day
May 1 Labour Day
May 19 Commemoration of Ataturk, Youth and Sports Day
July 28 Ramazan Feast Date varies on Lunar cycle
July 29 Ramazan Feast Date varies on Lunar cycle
July 30 Ramazan Feast Date varies on Lunar cycle
August 30 Victory Day
October 4 Sacrifice Feast Date varies on Lunar cycle
October 5 Sacrifice Feast Date varies on Lunar cycle
October 6 Sacrifice Feast Date varies on Lunar cycle
October 7 Sacrifice Feast Date varies on Lunar cycle
October 29 Republic Day Oct 28th is a Halfday holiday in the afternoon