Recognized on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List, Kakava and Hıdırellez celebrations were held in Türkiye.
The Kakava and Hıdırellez celebrations, recently held in the western province of Edirne, were a vibrant display of spring’s onset.
Kicking off with spirited performances by Roma dance groups, the festivities were enriched by locals adorned in traditional attire, adding a kaleidoscope of colors to the event. Kakava Festival is a celebration event for Roma people and it is widely celebrated in Edirne and Kırklareli provinces in Türkiye.
Hıdırellez, on the other hand, is regarded as one of the most important seasonal bayrams (festivals) in both Turkey and parts of the Middle East; Hıdırellez holds deep cultural significance. In Turkey, it is known as the Day of Hızır (Ruz-ı Hızır) and commemorates the meeting of the prophets Hızır (Al-Khdir) and İlyas (Elijah) on Earth. The term “Hıdırellez” itself is a fusion of the names Hızır and İlyas.
Hıdırellez Day is observed on May 6 in the Gregorian calendar and April 23 in the Julian calendar. While in Turkey, it has religious connotations, it has been associated with pagan and Saint George cults in other countries.
In Edirne, once again, two festivals were celebrated together. Despite a brief delay caused by a midday downpour, the three-day festival, spanning from May 4 to 6, came alive as twilight descended upon the Sarayiçi Peninsula.
Central to the festivities is the cherished tradition of hanging wishes on trees. People of all ages penned their hopes onto colorful strips of paper, adorning the branches with their aspirations.
The event’s climax occurs on its final day with the lighting of the grand Kakava fire. Following a day brimming with festivities, wishes are cast along the banks of the Tunca River, adorning trees and cast into the river come morning.
This celebration holds special significance for Edirne’s vibrant Roma community, embodying a period of joy and unity.
