Celebrated in a wide geography from Central Asia to the Middle East, from the Balkans to Anatolia, Nevruz represents the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new year.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hadiye Yılmaz Odabaşı stated that the fundamental principles of Nevruz, a traditional festival cherished by Turks throughout history, are love, brotherhood, and solidarity, as with all festivals. She added, “With the events held today, which is considered the beginning of the new year, the feelings of renewal, enthusiasm, revitalization, awakening, resurrection, brotherhood, and love are refreshed every year throughout the Turkic world.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hadiye Yılmaz Odabaşı, Head of the History Department at Üsküdar Üniversitesi, made important statements regarding the historical and cultural significance of Nevruz.
It is unknown where and when Nevruz celebrations first took place!
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hadiye Yılmaz Odabaşı stated that Nevruz, celebrated in a wide geography from Central Asia to the Middle East and the Balkans, means “new day/first day of the new year” in Persian. She said, “Although it is unknown where and when Nevruz celebrations first took place, these celebrations are first encountered in Iranian sources. On the other hand, the spring festival has been celebrated under different names in various geographies and societies throughout history. On March 21, Nevruz day, enthusiastic festivities were held among both the Turkic tribes of Asia and in the Seljuk and Ottoman states. It is known that the Nevruz festival has been celebrated among Turks since the time of the Asian Hun Emperor Mete Han, that is, since the 2nd century BC. Turkic tribes accepted March 21, considered the beginning of spring with Nevruz, as a festival for the awakening of nature and thus the start of agricultural production.”
After the proclamation of the Second Constitutional Era, Nevruz festival was celebrated with official ceremonies
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hadiye Yılmaz Odabaşı noted that March 21, called Nevruz-ı Sultani in the Ottoman Empire, was celebrated both in the palace and among the public, and that it became customary to eat a paste called Nevrûziye, believed to have healing properties. She stated, “After the proclamation of the Second Constitutional Era, the Nevruz festival began to be celebrated with official ceremonies. In the Turkic world, Nevruz has been associated with Ergenekon. According to the Ergenekon Epic, the Turks, defeated by the Tatars, suffered a great massacre, and only a few people survived. The survivors fled and began to live in Ergenekon, surrounded by mountains on all four sides. After living in Ergenekon for approximately 400 years, the Turks became too numerous for the region and wanted to reach beautiful lands with vast pastures, but they could not find a way out as they were surrounded by mountains. According to one legend, the iron ore mountains were melted with fire, and an exit was found. From that day on, they celebrated this date as the beginning of the new year. According to another legend, they found a way out by following a wolf. They named that day Yeni Gün, meaning New Day or Nevruz, and celebrated it as a festival. Thus, Nevruz has been celebrated for centuries as both the awakening of the earth, a symbol of abundance and fertility, and as the festival of liberation and existence for the Turks.”
Nevruz Festival is widely celebrated throughout the Turkic world
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hadiye Yılmaz Odabaşı stated that Nevruz Festival is widely celebrated throughout the Turkic world, and continued:
“The Nevruz Festival, widely celebrated throughout the Turkic world, is known as Cılgayak Bayramı among Altay Turks, Ergenekon Bayramı, Bozkurt Bayramı among Azerbaijani Turks, Ekin Bayramı among Bashkir Turks, Yeni Gün in East Turkestan, İlk Yaz among Gagauz Turks, Gutan, Sabantoy, Tegri Toy among Karachay Turks, Nevruz among Kazakhstan Turks, Nevruz among Kazan Turks and Ergenekon among Karapapakhs, Noruz in Kyrgyzstan, Yazbaş among Kumyk Turks, Navruz among Nogai Turks, Nevroz among Uzbekistan Turks, Nevruz among Tatars, Teze Yıl among Turkmen, and Yeni Gün among Uyghur Turks. Ergenekon/Nevruz Bayramı has preserved its existence for centuries as an important historical richness and common cultural heritage of Turkic culture.”
A tradition cherished by Turks throughout history…
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hadiye Yılmaz Odabaşı stated that the fundamental principles of Nevruz, a traditional festival cherished by Turks throughout history, are love, brotherhood, and solidarity, as with all festivals. She concluded, “With the events held today, which is considered the beginning of the new year, the feelings of renewal, enthusiasm, revitalization, awakening, resurrection, brotherhood, and love are refreshed every year throughout the Turkic world. With the Nevruz Festival, a cultural value with thousands of years of history is preserved, and the feelings of spiritual unity of the Turkic world are strengthened around common emotions and thoughts.”
