What's on in Istanbul
There are some great annual events that have put have Istanbul on the map:
Turkish F1 Grand Prix (June)
Dubbed as the ‘greatest track ever built’ Istanbul Park plays host to the annual Turkish F1 Grand Prix and is one of the three races that runs anticlockwise, including the Brazilian and San Marino Grand Prix. Expats in Istanbul should head down to Istanbul Park to enjoy the excitement of the F1 cars.
International Istanbul Music Festival (June)
The Bosphorous Swim (July)
Expats living in Istanbul should head down to the Bosphorous Strait to cheer on the participants in the annual Bosphorous Swim which sees brave swimmers navigating their way across the 4.3 miles (7km) Strait between Kanlica and Cemil Topuzlu Park.Turkish F1 Grand Prix (June)
Dubbed as the ‘greatest track ever built’ Istanbul Park plays host to the annual Turkish F1 Grand Prix and is one of the three races that runs anticlockwise, including the Brazilian and San Marino Grand Prix. Expats in Istanbul should head down to Istanbul Park to enjoy the excitement of the F1 cars.
Important Muslim festivals
Most of Turkey’s public holidays are secular in nature – for example Ataturk’s birthday or Republic Day. Turkey also celebrates the two major Muslim festivals – the first is called Seker Byram (Literally translated as Festival of Sugar) and the second called Kurban Byram (Festival of Sacrifice). Seker Byram is celebrated after the month of Ramadan where Muslims fast during the day and eat only after sunset.
Traditionally during the month of Ramadan, drummers walk the street before sunrise to wake up the observant so that they can breakfast before sunrise. However, if you live in an apartment complex, you are unlikely to be disturbed by the noisy beat below. Iftar is the meal that is taken to break the fast after sunset. The roads are packed in the hour before Iftar with everyone making their way home for the evening meal.
When Seker Byram falls in winter, schools are let off early so that the rush hour traffic can be avoided. On the first day of Seker Byram, Turks go to each others’ houses to distribute sweets and gifts. Kurban Byram is when most Turks pay to have a goat sacrificed and the meat may then be distributed to charity. Both these holidays are floating holidays and change from year to year. Government departments, banks, schools and offices are normally closed for several days during these holidays, although most retail business will only close on the first day of the holiday.
Traditionally during the month of Ramadan, drummers walk the street before sunrise to wake up the observant so that they can breakfast before sunrise. However, if you live in an apartment complex, you are unlikely to be disturbed by the noisy beat below. Iftar is the meal that is taken to break the fast after sunset. The roads are packed in the hour before Iftar with everyone making their way home for the evening meal.
When Seker Byram falls in winter, schools are let off early so that the rush hour traffic can be avoided. On the first day of Seker Byram, Turks go to each others’ houses to distribute sweets and gifts. Kurban Byram is when most Turks pay to have a goat sacrificed and the meat may then be distributed to charity. Both these holidays are floating holidays and change from year to year. Government departments, banks, schools and offices are normally closed for several days during these holidays, although most retail business will only close on the first day of the holiday.
Tipping household help – it is customary to give your maid, driver, gardener, doorman and any other regular staff a gift at Seker Byram. This can either be in the form of money or food. All supermarkets have “Ramzan Packets” for sale, which are essentially food hampers. Ramadan is an expensive time for them and your staff will appreciate the gesture.
