by Tutku Senen
ANKARA
The Romani people in Turkey are welcoming the arrival of summer with a traditional festival known as, Hidirellez.
One of the places the Hidirellez festival is celebrated is in the Romani-populated city of Canakkale on Turkey's west coast. Dancers wear colourful clothes, dance to Romani music and sometimes jump over a bonfire.
The celebrations start on the night of May 5, and continue the following day.
It is believed that this is the day when the prophets Hizir (al-Khidr) and Ilyas (Elijah) - who are spiritual supernatural figures affiliated with the elements of land, water, fire and earth - meet on earth.
It is believed that Hizir and Ilyas can meet all demands of the people. So people leave their pan lids, storehouse door and purses open.
Some people have tied colorful pieces of their clothes to the branches of a rose tree to symbolize their wish, while others construct models of what they desire and place them in their gardens or on the festival grounds.
Although regularly affiliated in Turkey with Romani culture, Hidrellez also holds much significance for Alevis, and it is a holiday celebrated all over the Turkic world and in parts of the Middle East.
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