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How Are The Social Activities in Turkey?
Istanbul is a prominent city in Turkey and has been known for its magnificent history and culture. Istanbul is home to 16 million registered people. Istanbul has served as a home to Byzantine and the great Ottoman Empire for centuries. Istanbul itself describes the culture and trend of these two empires. So, how are the social activities in Turkey?
Usually, ex-pats hit Istanbul in big numbers to encounter historical and cultural wonders. The city located in the conjunction of East and West has each type of life, European and Eastern.
Social Activities in Istanbul
• International Music Events,
• International Sports Events,
• Art or Literary Festivals.
Istanbul is the central hub for sports activities, and most events are held in Istanbul’s famous districts, such as; Taksim, Besiktas, Levent, Karakoy, and Kadikoy. Soccer is the favorite sports activity in Turkey, and Ottoman-style oil wrestling is still famous, and people enjoy the competition. Oil wrestling competitions are held each year in Istanbul, since the time of the Ottoman Empire.
Social Activities For Families in Turkey
Most of the activities are for adults, but still, some of them can be entertaining and enjoyed as a whole family with your kids. There are two major aquariums on the European side of Istanbul. These aquariums allow an ex-pat to involve their family in socializing with other families and kids.
During the 20th century, Western literature, art, and music has pretended to be a part of Turkish culture. That false dominance over original culture left a serious mark on social life and is still running.
Western-style theaters, orchestras, and opera companies are thriving, while the popular arts also flourishing. Folk ballads and traditional forms in music are also very famous among Turkish people.
Folk instruments include; drums, trumpets, flutes, tambourines, violins, and cymbals. Popular drama includes shadow plays, performed by puppets reflected on a linen screen, and the “middle game,” a type of improvised comedy. Popular traditional literature takes the form of narrative and poetry, recited by minstrels known as “âşıks.” Turkish contemporary literature was the focus of wide international regard when Orhan Pamuk, an acclaimed Turkish novelist, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2006.
There are archaeological museums in Ankara, which give an insight into the past civilization and cultural trends to their visitors.
Most popular social events are music festivals, nightlife events, sport, and outdoor events, cultural festivals, national and religious festivals, lifestyle events, wonderful Turkish festivals, and more.
As a country hosting millions of people, Turkey has to enliven up the days and nights of its beloved residents with various events and festivals. Also, festivals give a chance to learn more about the religious feasts and national festivals that are unique to Turkey.
Related Article: Religious Festivals in Turkey.
Some Major Events of Turkey
World Food Istanbul: World Food Istanbul is the largest food and drink exhibition in Turkey. World Food Istanbul has been the trusted route to market, reflecting the trends of the industry, initiating international cooperation.
Konya Agriculture Fair: Konya International Agriculture fair, which is an agricultural mechanization and field technologies fair.
PETZOO Antalya: Mediterranean Pet Products Exhibition in Antalya, where international pet products, materials, and accessories are demonstrated in Turkey.
Beauty & Wellness Show: The Beauty & Wellness Show will feature more than 400 brands in the field of; cosmetics, beauty, and health. It will also include new products and application techniques for beauty, youth, and slimming.
Mersin Mother, Baby, and Child Fair: Mother, Baby, and Child Fair will showcase baby carriages, car seats, and accessories, baby and kids clothing and accessories, children’s shoes, maternity and maternity wear, and underwear.
A Glimpse of Religious Life and Social Activities
The collective dinner table is one of the traditional and primary foundations of Turkish culture and tradition, that epitomizes togetherness and unity. At the base of these collective dinners table comes the family dinner table, which symbolizes unity, solidarity and it’s very important for the family to come together at this table for the Turks.
Religious holidays and celebrations are also an important element of Turkish culture. In the month of Ramazan, evening meals known as; “iftar” are held to break the fast. After 30 days of fasting, the major occasion of “Eid ul Fitr” is celebrated with great joy and reverence. Another significant religious occasion is “Eid-ul-Adha.”
Celebration on the most important occasions are common in communities such as; wedding ceremonies, the key factor about the celebration or social event is the dinner table and food offered served during dinner.
Especially in Anatolian culture, certain types of food are associated with certain types of celebrations.
- “Güllaç” (starch wafers soaked in milk syrup and layered with walnuts) for Ramadan,
- “Keşkek” (slow-cooked, pounded wheat with lamb) for weddings,
- “Zerde” (saffron-infused rice pudding) for circumcision feasts,
- And “Kavurma” (sautéed beef or lamb in its fat) prepared for the sacrifice holiday are some examples of these occasion-specific foods.
Especially in the Anatolian culture, preparing these feasts by way of “imece,” which means, everybody taking place in the celebration gives a hand with preparations. This collective effort gives the food and social life concept a different dimension.
In general, Turkey is a blend of Eastern and Western culture, social activities are the true reflex of these blends. These are some of the social activities in Turkey.
