Spring Meeting
Description:
Even the ancient Romans had festivals "Florialia", dedicated to the May awakening of nature. With the spread of monotheism, the customs of idolaters became a thing of the past, moreover, they acquired a sinister devilish shade. For example, the demonic Walpurgis Night and the Coven of Witches on Bald Mountain take place on the eve of May 1. But the saints could not erase from the heart of the people the delight of renewal, and May Day celebrations in many countries exist to this day. However, until now it was about Europe, and the Spring Festival originated in the same place as agriculture in Asia. Having no opportunity to walk around the whole region, let us turn our eyes to the Republic of Turkey.
In Turkey, celebrations fall on the night of May 5-6. According to legend, that night the prophets Hizir and Ilya (from the combination of their names and the Turkish name of the Spring Day - Hidyrellez - this word can be written and pronounced with some variations) agreed to return to earth Spring. Until recently, Khiderellez, being a custom of the common people, passed almost unnoticed in megacities. However, after the cancellation, in September 1980, of Labor Day on May 1, the Turkish authorities, insisting on patriotism, opposed it to the Spring Meeting. And it is true that Hidrellez is much more Turkic festival than cherished on the soil of the West May Day.
It is believed that on the night of May 5-6, the prophet Khizir descends from heaven and walks on earth, doing good, healing, helping people and fulfilling their desires. Woe to him whose dwelling is not cleaned, whose doors are closed, and in whose heart lies evil thoughts. Khizir will never visit such a house, and therefore will not bring luck, happiness and prosperity. Therefore, the people carefully prepare for the onset of this holiday: restores order in houses and yards, washes clothes, buys new things, prepares festive dishes, among which the main place is taken by roast from a young lamb with fresh greens. On this day, it is customary to give alms and make wishes that the Prophet can fulfill. Windows, doors of barns, bags, purses on the eve of the holiday are left wide open in the hope that the generous Heezir will not allow them to be empty, but will bring wealth.
The celebrations themselves are organized in nature in picturesque places near springs, temples or cemeteries. There is a widespread tradition of sacrificing and divination on this day. For example, young girls on the eve of the holiday put in a vessel with water their rings, earrings, bracelets, and this vessel is left overnight under a pink bush. And on the day of the holiday, objects are pulled from it under ritual songs. Each verse of the song contains a prediction that is destined to come true in the life of the one whose thing was pulled out at the moment of singing.
Another peasant divination. Girls put papers with their most cherished dreams in the “vessel of desires”, or “pot of lies”. The vessel is closed at night in the rosary. The next morning, the girl, chosen by lot, takes it out, opens and takes out one note. The bachelor who signed it will certainly get married within a year.
There is an interesting custom: shortly before the celebration, yogurt is prepared without leaven. The house in which the yogurt will turn out will be fondled by the attention of the prophet Hizir, and, therefore, prosperity and luck to stay in it for a whole year.
It is difficult to imagine Hidrellosis without festivities: young guys jump over bonfires, girls write notes with wishes and throw them into the river. Along with nature, people rejoice in the arrival of spring and the onset of the long-awaited warmth, therefore, this holiday, which carries hope for the best, is one of the brightest and most colorful in Turkey.
Recently, the Spring Festival has become widely celebrated only in rural areas, but also in cities. So, for several years, the patron of Hidrelez Ahirkapa in Istanbul, coinciding with the Bellidance Week, which falls on the first seven days of May, is the Armada Hotel. Nail trees line up throughout the Sultan Ahmet quarter. Here until the morning the noise and the hustle of improvised bazaars do not stop. Moreover, the entrance to the concerts of ethnic musicians invited by the hotel is completely free. The fee for dinner at tables set in the fresh air is also minimal. As a rule, it consists of lyula-kebab, meatloaf, rice, fish in dough, baklava, ice cream, numerous cakes and so adored in Turkey nut delicacies.
In Turkey, Khydrellez is celebrated not only by Turks, but also by representatives of a fairly large Armenian community. May 5 is the day of the Prophet Elijah, the patron saint of livestock.