Turkish Spring Festival

How can this be? Usually J When I found out that this issue is more or less dedicated to our beloved For the Spring Festival When I had to describe the events taking place at my current university, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that their main and biggest festival is an exact copy of ours!

Similarities and differences

It usually takes place in May, but the exact date depends on the schedule of the performers performing at the festival. The festival lasts 4-5 days, which also depends on the number of performers they can afford that year, and that is how many days it takes place.

But about everything from the beginning. It is a pity that I am only telling a retold story, because I have not yet had the opportunity to participate myself, when I write this article, the preparatory work is still underway. Well, the full name of this festival is GedizFest (Gediz is my university where I study), it has only been around for five years (as long as the higher education institution itself). The ideators of the festival are the students themselves, but the university takes full care of the financial part, as I was told, so huge sums are allocated just to make everything a success.

During the day, various games are held, starting twister, gigantic jenga and ending with group computer games. There are also lectures by famous people, which attract full halls of students. Finally, each evening ends with a concert by a band or artist, crowned by impressive fireworks.

Since it's so similar to our festival, you have to find some cons. The event takes place on the territory of the university, and since it's in the middle of nowhere and buses only run until 7 p.m., you have to worry about getting home. Security is doubled during the entire festival, although it's already strict here, but only our students can enter the university at that time - EVERY person's document is checked. One can only dream about alcohol, it is strictly forbidden to sell or drink alcoholic beverages during the festival, but it's not for nothing that there are people called students who come up with all sorts of ways how, from where and where to drink during the event.

Turkish Shrovetide

I find more and more similarities here! So, listening to stories about university events, I couldn't miss the celebration designed to end winter and welcome spring - after all, it's our Shrovetide! Only here they don't bake pancakes J What traditions? A bonfire is lit in the main square of the university, not the same as when we light our Mora, but a rather large one, over which everyone has to jump in order to drive winter out of their homes. Oddly enough, the rector is always the first to dance, followed by all the teachers and finally the students. It's very fun to watch how even the authorities are not afraid to join in the fun during the holidays.

After all the jumping, the attention is drawn to students dressed in traditional Turkish clothes, who involve everyone in dancing and games. All that's missing is a drop of cannabis and all our carnival will be over!

The conclusion is this: no matter how far I am from my country and university, everything seems to follow me and makes me understand that I am not very good without Lithuania.

AUTHOR: Žydrūnė Rukuižaitė