For learning about the holidays of various religious groups, we asked a few questions to Akdoğan Özkan who is the author of “Kardeş Bayramlar” (Fellow Holidays).
Dença SilahlıAnna Maria Dipgil
Why did you want to write such a book?
In Turkey, various religious groups celebrate holidays which seem completely different at first glance. However, in this country, the ones who represent the majority don't know anything about the other holidays; they think that those holidays, which are celebrated by their fellow citizens, don't belong to them. And this majority want to make its neighbors celebrate its holidays, instead of celebrating their holidays, because they are ignorant about this issue. I wrote this book with the purpose of educating people about the meaning and cultural reflections of different holidays. I want to reveal the richness of these lands.
How did you come up with the title?
It seems that the holidays and special occasions is the main factor that distinguishes Sunni and Alevi Turks, Kurds, Zazas or Catholic Armenians, Jews, Orthodox Greeks, Syriacs and all the communities in these lands which define themselves through different ethnic or religious identities. However, when I looked at those holidays and special occasions, I saw amazing similarities, which would enable all individuals in this country feel themselves as “fellows”, not as “the other”. And I came up with this title with the hope of trusting our fellows with our fellow holidays.
Which holidays in the book are the most interesting ones?
The interesting thing is that some holidays that were born, grew and rooted in these lands left this country and tried to take root and grow in different lands. And someday, those traditions come back to us as a folk dance performed by the grandchildren of those people. With every person leaving this country, cultures leave for good. This is what is really interesting and sad! And I know that peace and fellowship don't prevail in this country. If there is peace someday, the most “interesting” holiday would be celebrated then!
Do you want to write another book on holidays?
I tried to emphasize the historical and current meanings of the holidays, as well as their cultural reflections in daily life. With this study, important similarities became more apparent. I would like to carry out a more academic research on at least one of those similarities.
Which holidays are included to the book?
There are almost 100 holidays and special occasions in the book, including Abdal Musa Commemorations, Hristuğenna, İda Roja, İyd il Gadir, Roje Xizirî, Sukot, Surp Zadik , Şahro Mor Gabriyel, Şeb-i Arûs, Vartavar.
