The culture of Turkey has the characteristics characteristic of an Islamic country, since 99% of the population profess this religion. Religious norms and rules affect both social and cultural life.
Prayer is performed 5 times a day, that the time has come to pray, say the muezzins from the minarets. Mosques are open to visitors almost always, so tourists can look into them at any time. This is not worth doing during prayer, so do not go inside for 20 minutes after calling the muezzin. The same goes for Friday, a holy day for Muslims. Do not forget that before entering the mosque, ritual washing of hands and feet is carried out, you need to enter the temple only barefoot. It is forbidden to enter the mosque in untidy clothes, with open arms and legs. No shorts, T-shirts and miniskirts. A woman can only go in a long skirt and with a covered head. The temple must be silent.
Turks attach great importance to etiquette. They will always help a person, in conversation they are very polite and helpful. If you show respect for their culture, traditions, and know at least a couple of phrases in Turkish, then you are guaranteed a warm welcome in any part of Turkey.
In Islamic culture, human images are prohibited, so do not photograph Turks, especially without permission. Most often, locals respond normally to a request to be photographed with you, the main thing is to politely ask about it.
In Turkey, both state and religious holidays are celebrated. Of these, the most significant, which are of national importance:
- New Year – January 1
- National Independence Day and Children’s Day – April 23
- Youth and Sports Day – May 19
- Day of victory over the Greek army – August 30
- Republic Proclamation Day – October 29
- Memorial Day of Ataturk, the first president of the Republic of Turkey – November 10th.
The last holiday is considered by many to be one of the most important both historically and culturally. On this day at exactly 9.05 in the morning the whole country literally freezes for one minute: all Turkish citizens are silent, honking cars and buzzing sirens.
All religious holidays are celebrated in Turkey according to the lunar calendar, so their dates are changed every year.
Among them are two main ones:
Ramadan is a holy month during which Turkish Muslims do not eat or drink from dawn to evening prayer.
Kurban Bayram (Day of Sacrifice) and Sheker Bayram (festival of sweets, held after the end of Ramadan) are one of the most important days in the life of any Muslim.