New Year’s In Istanbul
I wake to the first light of dawn peeking through the curtains, a soft glow on the room. Remnants of last night’s laughter and music still echoing in my ears. The air filled with a faint scent of citrus and chestnuts, mingling with the crisp morning air seeping through the cracked window. The house is quiet, peaceful at the edge of a chorus of 10 people waking up to New Year’s Day. It’s time to open the presents!!
New Year’s Celebrations in Istanbul: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity
New Year’s Eve, known as Yılbaşı in Turkey, is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy. This festive occasion brings together family and friends for a night of feasting, fun, and fireworks, creating memories that last a lifetime, while setting the tone for the year ahead.
Historical Evolution
New Year’s celebrations in Turkey have evolved significantly over time. In pre-Islamic Turkic traditions, the winter solstice, known as Nardoğan (also Nardugan), was celebrated December 21st-22nd as the rebirth of the sun. This ancient festival involved decorating trees, singing folk songs, and making wishes for the coming year. These customs laid the groundwork for many modern New Year traditions in Turkey.
During the Ottoman Empire, with more focus on Islamic celebrations, New Year was not a significant event. However, with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1926 and the declaration of January 1st as a public holiday in 1935, Western-style celebrations began to influence Turkish customs. Today, Yılbaşı is a seamless blend of modern festivities and deep-rooted traditions celebrated throughout Anatolia.
Family Gatherings and the New Year Feast
One of the central aspects of Yılbaşı is the family dinner. Families come together to share a lavish meal, often featuring more intricate recipes typically prepared with many hands, like stuffed vine leaves, slow-cooked vegetables and legumes, sweet-n-savoury chestnut pilav, spiced beef or chicken, delicate savoury pastries, a variety of mezes, and, of course, desserts. The feast is a celebration of abundance that stems from togetherness, reflecting the importance of social bonds in Turkish culture.
Decorations and Gifts
Homes and public spaces are adorned with lights and decorations, including pine trees with Christmas ornaments we’re all familiar with. At home, gifts are placed under these trees and are eagerly opened on New Year’s Day, much to the delight of children and adults alike. This tradition adds anticipation and a magical touch to the celebrations, making the holiday season even more special.
Superstitions and Customs
In addition to Western customs, Turkish New Year celebrations are rich with superstitions and customs to attract good fortune for the year ahead. Common practices include smashing a pomegranate for abundance, sprinkling salt on the doorstep to bring peace and prosperity, and wearing red underwear for a lucky year. It is believed that the way you enter the new year will set the tone for the entire year, so people strive to start it on a positive note, surrounded by loved ones and good thoughts.
In preparation for the new year, many people clean their homes —thoroughly—, put on their best clothes, and decorate their living spaces to radiate warmth and positivity. They also prepare their favourite foods and stock their fridges. But most crucial is making up and maintaining good relations with neighbours, family, and friends, as it is believed that harmonious relations will lead to a prosperous year for all.
National Lottery and Entertainment
The Milli Piyango, Turkey’s national lottery, has always been a significant part of the New Year’s Eve festivities. As a kid, I remember my dad buying each of us a ticket with a lighthearted hope of starting the new year as millionaires. The lottery draw was always a much-anticipated event, paired with a belly dancing performance, often by a famous dancer, streamed live on television for the biggest audience of the year.
Fireworks and Public Celebrations
Major cities like Istanbul host grand parties, where public squares and streets come alive with celebrations, and the sky is lit up with dazzling fireworks.
Perhaps a bit strange yet familiar, New Year in Turkey is a vibrant celebration that brings together the warmth of family, the thrill of new beginnings, and the joy of shared traditions. Whether it’s the excitement of opening presents under the Yılbaşı tree or the joy of watching fireworks over the Bosphorus, the spirit of the new year is one of hope, joy, and togetherness.
Cheers to a fresh chapter, where each of us finds moments of peace, joy, and purpose. Whether you're surrounded by loved ones or embracing a quieter journey, may this new year bring you warmth, growth, and hope in unexpected places. Here's to brighter days ahead for us all!
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