Western Thrace celebrates Hıdrellez with festivities over the weekend
On Sunday, May 4, 2025, the celebrations took place in various regions of Western Thrace, including Dinkler village in Xanthi, Büyük Müsellim village in Rhodope, and the Musaköy area in Edirne. The events featured folk performances, music, traditional dances, and local cultural displays.
The Dinkler Hanımeli Association in Xanthi's Dinkler village hosted its own Hıdrellez festival in the village square. A series of performances entertained the audience, with Gönen Molla and his team performing traditional songs. Guests were also treated to the traditional Hıdrellez soup, a popular dish of the occasion. The celebration was attended by notable figures including Türkiye’s Consul General in Komotini, Aykut Ünal, his wife İlayda Ünal, Mustafa Trampa (President of the Western Thrace Turkish Minority Advisory Board and Mufti of Xanthi), as well as local MPs Hüseyin Zeybek and Burhan Baran, and FEP Party President Çiğdem Asafoğlu.
Meanwhile, in Rhodope province, Büyük Müsellim village hosted a similar event organized by the Büyük Müsellim Folklore and Culture Association. Yassıköy Mayor Caner İmam delivered a speech, and the event featured folk dance performances, songs, and traditional music. The celebration was attended by local officials, including Turkey’s Deputy Consul in Komotini, Güven Bora, Vice President of the Provincial Assembly, Rıdvan Hacı Mehmet, and other prominent guests.
The “Hıdrellez Spring Festival” organized by the South Meriç Minority Education and Culture Association took place in the Palamutluk region near Musaköy, Edirne, on the same day. Local folklore groups performed traditional dances and plays, while children’s skits received enthusiastic applause from the audience. An impressive marbling exhibition curated by Berna Mustafaoğlu and her students also attracted attention.
The event concluded with a performance by the Gümülcine Turkish Youth Association's saz group, which delighted the audience with traditional Turkish folk songs.
Key attendees included Gümülcine Mufti İbrahim Şerif, Turkey’s Deputy Consul in Komotini Adnan Öztürk, President of the Friendship Equality Peace Party Çiğdem Asafoğlu, President of the Western Thrace Turkish Teachers' Union Aydın Ahmet, Gümülcine Turkish Youth Association President Sedat Hasan, BAKEŞ General Manager Pervin Hayrullah, and a number of local officials and citizens.
