News Center - Hıdırellez was added to the UNESCO’s List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017. The Hıdırellez will not be celebrated this year as last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.

What is Hıdırellez? How do people celebrate it? What are its rituals? Prophets Hızır (Al-Khadir) and Ilyas (Elijah) are believed to have met on earth on May 5 and 6 once a year.  Prophet Hızır is believed to help people in need by wandering the earth while Prophet İlyas is believed to be the protector of water. They are believed to bring abundance, wealth, and chance on May 5-6. Thousands of people living in many cities of Turkey come together to celebrate Hıdırellez, the arrival of spring. It is also celebrated in Iraq, Syria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.

People write their wish on paper and tie it to a rose bush

People celebrate Hıdırellez by jumping over a fire three times to protect them from all kinds of illness and evil. People believe that if they write their wishes on paper and tie it to a rose bush or bury it under a rose tree, their wishes will come true.

Belongings of girls are put in a jar

The night before Hıdırellez, young girls place some of their belongings, such as a ring, earring, or bracelet in an earthenware jar and close the jar with fine muslin. Early in the morning, they open the jar and pray for their peace and wishes to come true. They believe that this ritual will bring good luck.