Did you experience the delights of the NC Turkish Festival at the Raleigh Fairgrounds this past weekend? The Divan Cultural Center volunteers greeted us with warm smiles and courteous gestures. A packed house by 2 p.m., the Exposition Center hosted guests of all ages and nationalities along with wall-to-wall Turkish handcrafts, carpets, sweet pastries and a variety of Turkish food.
No surprise this year that some of the Turkish Festival expansion beckoned our children with activities galore. The Kids Corner gathered the munchkins for fun diversions and a bouncing tent. Face painting drew hearty giggles from the mouths of babes and cherub faces indulged in ice cream with parent approval.
It didn’t stop there though; in another corner, parents and youngsters discovered their fantasy of sultanhood and departed with a photo for their memories. Conversely, last year there were just a few happenings for the little sprouts, but Saturday, parents expressed much delight and gratitude, especially for a center stage one-man circus, just for the kids by the Fritzy Brothers.
You may not know it, but Turks love children. Since April 23, 1935, Turkey has celebrated this devotion with a national Children’s Day holiday. On this day Turkey honors their young people with special celebrations at schools, amusement centers, national monuments and other public attractions. Turkish families place particular importance to the education of their offspring and will do most anything to assure it.
Did you come looking for Turkish art? People of all ages crowded around the Ebru (water marbling) spot where young Turkish women invited onlookers to try it out. You had to wait your turn just to watch and get mesmerized by the water and paint as it emerged into a unique piece of art. If you wanted a beautiful wall hanging, you could purchase them for under $30. Even small children make lovely Ebru with a gentle mentor.
Aydin Cayir, a Turkish calligrapher traveled again this year to Raleigh to work all day at pleasing the visitors by writing nameplates and cards and creating other art with his elegant hand of Turkish Calligraphy. The art of Turkish Calligraphy dates back to ancient times when official documents were prepared only in calligraphy. Still in use today, calligraphers practice this art to perfection and even compete for prestigious awards in Turkey.
Next time, I’ll tell you all about the music and dance.
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