Hidirllez Festival celebrates the day that the Prophets Hizir (Khidr) and Ilyas (Elijah) met on Earth. It is celebrated throughout the Turkic world, including in Bulgaria, Georgia, and the Balkans, and throughout ancient Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Persia, and other Mediterranean societies during the change of seasons.
Currently, the ceremonies for Hidirellez are organized, especially in villages or towns rather than metropolises. The preparations for the celebration include the cleaning of the house and the clothing, dresses, finery, food-drink, and shopping for the feast. They also include the cleaning of the indoor and outdoor places, especially the gardens, because Hizir is expected to visit the houses and gardens on that day.
The Spring Celebration ‘Hidrellez’ takes place every year on May 6, during the awakening of nature and is recognized as Spring Day. The term ‘Hidrellez’ is a compound noun derived from ‘Hidir’ and ‘Ilyas’, which means protectors of the earth and water, and helpers of individuals, families, and communities who need them.
Spring is a time of hope, a fresh start, and hope for the future. In the past, it was a time when cold winter earth gave way to healthy grasses and revived fields. A time when the god Hizir is honored as a healer and the god Ilyas is regarded as a bringer of water. Ceremonies included fire, feasting, and dancing to honor these gods.
The element has a deep-rooted cultural meaning, and it gives the local community a sense of belonging and a sense of cultural identity, and an opportunity to strengthen relations. This element belongs to all participants, including families, children, youth, adults, dancers, and singers. Various ceremonies and rituals are performed to ensure the wellness, fertility, and prosperity of the family and the community.
These ceremonies and rituals are connected with nature. Throughout the year, the communities participating in the Spring Celebration ensure the element's viability by participating in it annually. The local, regional, and national-level organization of related events ensure that a broad range of individuals, groups, and communities participate in it.
It is acknowledged as an essential element of the cultural identity of the local communities, and it is created and transmitted by oral communication, observation, participation, and performance within the family and among community members. This fascinating and exciting festival brings together people from all walks of life as it ushers in a new season and celebrates the challenge of new life.
Spring is a time of hope, a fresh start, and hope for the future. It was a time when cold winter earth gave way to healthy grasses and revived fields. A time when the god Hizir is honored as a healer and the god Ilyas is regarded as a bringer of water. Ceremonies included fire, feasting, and dancing to honor these gods. Every year on May 6, the Spring Celebration ‘Hidrellez’ takes place. This is during the awakening of nature and is recognized as Spring Day. The term ‘Hidrellez’ is a compound noun derived from ‘Hidir’ and ‘Ilyas’, which means protectors of the earth and water, and helpers of individuals, families, and communities who need them.
Hidirllez is the celebration of the day that the Prophets Hizir (Khidr) and Ilyas (Elijah) met on Earth. It is celebrated throughout the Turkic world, including in Bulgaria, Georgia, and the Balkans, and throughout ancient Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Persia, and other Mediterranean societies during the change of seasons. Currently, the ceremonies for Hidirellez are organized, especially in villages or towns rather than metropolises. The preparations for the celebration include the cleaning of the house and the clothing, dresses, finery, food-drink, and shopping for the feast. They also include the cleaning of the indoor and outdoor places, especially the gardens, because Hizir is expected to visit the houses and gardens on that day.
The element has a deep-rooted cultural meaning, and it gives the local community a sense of belonging and a sense of cultural identity, and an opportunity to strengthen relations. This element belongs to all participants, including families, children, youth, adults, dancers, and singers. Various ceremonies and rituals are performed to ensure the wellness, fertility, and prosperity of the family and the community. These ceremonies and rituals are connected with nature. Throughout the year, the communities participating in the Spring Celebration ensure the element's viability by participating in it annually. The local, regional, and national-level organization of related events ensure that a broad range of individuals, groups, and communities participate in it. It is acknowledged as an essential element of the cultural identity of the local communities, and it is created and transmitted by oral communication, observation, participation, and performance within the family and among community members.
This fascinating and exciting festival brings together people from all walks of life as it ushers in a new season and celebrates the challenge of new life.
References
(https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/spring-celebration-hdrellez-01284 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C4%B1d%C4%B1rellez) (https://goturkiye.com/blog/spring-celebration-hidirellez-in-turkiye) |Subject=Belief, Food, Ritual |Country=Turkey, Republic of Macedonia }}