Turkey has annually several important days. Some of them return every year on the same date, while others follow the Islamic lunar calendar and take place on a different date every year. Hereby a list of the Important Days in Turkey in 2019.
23 April (national holiday) – National Sovereignty & Children’s Day (Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı) Commemorates the inauguration of the Turkish Parliament (Grand National Assembly -Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi) in 1920 and marks the importance of children being the future of the nation.
2 April – 2 May (religious holiday) Ramazan – the holy month of fasting. During this month, Muslims from all over the world abstain from eating, drinking etc. between sunrise and sunset.
1 May (national holiday) – Labour & Solidarity Day (Emek ve Dayanışma Günü). Labour Day is an annual holdiday in Turkey, as well as in many other countries in the world, to celebrate the achievements of workers.
2 – 4 May (religious holidays) – Sugar Feast (Şeker Bayramı/Ramazan Bayramı) – Celebrating the end of the fasting
8 – 11 July (religious holidays) – Feast of Sarifice (Kurban Bayramı). During this festival, Muslims slaughter an animal, usually a sheep, cow or goat. They do this in honour of the prophet Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his son at the request of Allah. Traditionally the meat is divided into 3 portions: one for the poor, one for the friends and family and one for the own home.
15 July (national holiday) – Day of Democracy and National Unity (Demokrasi ve Milli Birlik Günü) – Commemorates the coup attempt in 2016
30 August (national holiday) – Victory Day (Zafer Bayramı). Commemoration of the Battle of Dumlupınar, on 30 August 1922. This was the decisive battle in the Turkish War of Independence. The Turkish troops defeated the Greek troups.
29 October (national holiday) – Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı). One of the most important national holidays in Turkey is October 29th. On that day in 1923 Mustafa Kemal (later: Atatürk) proclaimed the Republic of Turkey. With this declaration of the Republic, the Ottoman Empire and the absolute power of the sultan came to an end. The Grand National Assembly elected Mustafa Kemal to be the first president of the new Republic and he immediately started to modernize and develop the country.
10 November – Atatürk Memorial Day – Commemoration of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk who died on November 10th 1938 at 9.05 in Istanbul.
