Thousands of Turks, as well as tourists from Bulgaria and Greece, gathered in the border town of Edirne to take part in the spring holiday Kakawa Hadrelles, BTA reports. This is one of the most picturesque and colorful holidays, dedicated to spring in the western districts of Turkey – Edirne and Kirklareli.
In 2017, the holiday was included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Turkey and in the Republic of Northern Macedonia. It coincides with the Christian St. George’s Day, which in Bulgaria is celebrated on May 6 as the Day of Courage.
A record number, about 100,000 people, took part in the celebrations yesterday and today in Edirne, which have resumed after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic and are therefore more crowded and more lively than before.
It is a holiday not only for Turkey, but for all humanity, said the city’s governor Ekrem Janalp.
The culmination of the holiday is the lighting of the Kakawa fire, around which various entertainments take place. A jumping fire is also organized.
Many Turks, Bulgarians, Greeks took part in the entertainment, danced to the rhythms of Roma music, had a great time, according to Edirne media.
The name of the traditional holiday, which is rooted in antiquity, comes from the legend of the two brothers – Hudder and Elijah, who were patrons of humans, animals and fertility. The two brothers traveled to different places and only once a year – on May 6 – gathered at a rich table, where they told what good deeds they have done for people, animals, nature. Therefore, it is considered a holiday of spring, after which the fertile summer begins. In a number of countries are says Hudrelles, Kakawa, Haftamal, Egridje, Edirlez and others.
