Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı from Üsküdar University Department of Sociology evaluated holidays lived in the shadow of wars.
Wars and the environment of conflict are transforming holidays
Emphasizing that holidays are one of the most powerful symbolic areas of social life, Prof. Süleymanlı said, “Holidays represent periods when collective memory is reproduced, social solidarity is strengthened, and common values become visible. However, in today’s international system, increasing wars and the persistent conflict environment are directly transforming the meaning and function of this symbolic area.”
Holidays are now a more layered experience
Stating that simultaneous global conflicts affect not only political balances but also daily life practices, Prof. Süleymanlı said, “Holidays have not entirely lost their characteristic of being a ground for classical reunion and rapprochement. However, they have transformed into a more layered experience that carries the traces of the prevailing conditions.”
The social emotional regime is changing
Drawing attention to how environments of war and uncertainty affect individuals’ emotional worlds, Prof. Süleymanlı said, “One of the most significant effects of war and conflict environments is the change in social emotional regimes. In periods where insecurity, uncertainty, and the perception of threat increase, the meaning individuals attribute to collective rituals also changes. Holidays are still celebrated; rituals are maintained, but the emotional intensity and social significance behind these rituals are considerably transforming. Enthusiasm gives way to a more cautious and sometimes bittersweet joy, while social gatherings take place within a more limited and controlled framework.”
Holidays transform into a ‘practice of resilience’ in conflict zones
Emphasizing that holidays are experienced much differently in conflict zones, Prof. Süleymanlı continued:
“The most striking dimension of this transformation is seen in the experiences of people living directly in conflict zones. In environments where daily life is under constant threat, and the sounds of sirens and explosions have become commonplace, holidays diverge from their usual meaning. While people act with a survival reflex, they also strive to maintain holiday rituals. This situation produces intense psychological tension oscillating between fear and hope, loss and the desire to hold on. In these conditions, holidays transform from joy into a practice of resilience and continuation.”
The impact of war transcends borders
Stating that wars do not only affect conflict zones, Prof. Süleymanlı said, “The impact of wars is not limited to conflict zones. The multi-layered effects of these processes are also felt in societies not directly experiencing hot warfare. Economic fluctuations, increasing cost of living, and uncertainties in basic needs make daily life difficult; while people empathize with the suffering in other geographies, they also harbor concerns that these conflicts might spread to them. This situation profoundly affects both the material and emotional dimensions of holidays, transforming them into a more cautious and complex emotional experience.”
Generalized threat perception changes the spirit of holidays
Stating that constant exposure to war news affects individuals' morale, Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı said, “Constant exposure to war news, a global sense of uncertainty, and increasing anxiety about the future profoundly affect individuals' morale. Even when living in a safe geography, a generalized threat perception takes hold in individuals’ minds, changing the emotional tone of holidays. People, while celebrating holidays, also carry an awareness of the suffering happening in different parts of the world; this creates a dual emotional state between joy and sorrow.”
Holidays are not independent of global effects
Defining this process sociologically as “indirect impact,” Prof. Süleymanlı said, “Even if individuals are not directly in conflict, they experience the economic, psychological, and cultural consequences of these processes due to being part of the global system. This reveals that holidays are a social practice influenced not only by local but also by global developments.”
The emphasis on peace can be overlooked in public discourse
Also drawing attention to the discourse during holiday periods, Prof. Süleymanlı said, “Public discourse is also an important part of this transformation. When examining statements made during holiday periods, the language of political actors, and media frameworks, it is noted that the emphasis on peace and compassion sometimes falls into the background; conversely, discourses of security, struggle, and power become more visible. This indicates that the symbolic meaning of holidays is being reshaped within a political context.”
Holidays have a two-layered structure
Pointing to both the individual and societal dimensions of holidays, Prof. Süleymanlı stated the following:
“Holidays are observed to have a two-layered structure: the meaning formed in the individual’s inner world and the external conditions in which they exist. The environment of war and conflict rearranges the relationship between these two layers. While external conditions limit how holidays are experienced, internal values determine the meaning of holidays within these limits. Holidays, therefore, serve not only as an element of cultural continuity but also as an important sociological indicator through which the social structure, value system, and collective consciousness can be analyzed. The mood of societies, their capacity for solidarity, and their value systems are embodied in the way holidays are experienced. The fact that holidays acquire a quieter, more cautious, and more introspective character during periods of intensified conflict environments is one of the most visible signs of this transformation.”
Despite all difficulties, holidays continue to exist
Stating that holidays do not disappear despite all these changes, Prof. Süleymanlı concluded his words as follows:
“Despite all this transformation, holidays do not disappear entirely; on the contrary, they persist by adapting to new conditions. In this process, holidays assume a function that answers individuals' search for meaning, preserves social ties, albeit minimally, and supports humanity's endeavor to ‘remain human.’ This function becomes even more visible, especially in periods of intensified uncertainty and anxiety. The current state of holidays is an important indicator reflecting not only a cultural change but also the spirit of the era we live in. In this context, holidays appear not only as a traditional practice but also as a dynamic sociological field affected by existing social conditions. This shows that preserving the meaning of holidays is no longer merely a cultural issue but also an ethical and humanitarian responsibility.”
