Chances are, the only turkey you associate with Christmas is the bird. But surprisingly, Türkiye has many interesting festive connections, and perhaps the most notable is that St. Nicholas (a.k.a. Santa) was born in Türkiye. Here’s a look at the origins of Santa Claus and a few other links between Türkiye and Christmas.
TURKEY AND ITS CHRISTMAS CONNECTIONS
1. St. Nicholas (Santa Claus) came from Türkiye.
Despite popular belief, the real Santa Claus did not don red robes, ride a magic sleigh or have an army of elves making toys in the North Pole. The real Santa was called Nicholas and was born in Patara, just 40km along the coast from Fethiye.
Last year, you may recall our Christmas blog looking at St. Nicholas Island and Santa Claus. It told the heartwarming story of an orphaned boy called Nicholas that inherited his father’s fortune at a very young age. Having been raised a devout Christian, Nicholas set about honouring his family by giving all he had to those in need. He did this in secret, and his generosity and extraordinary actions are what sparked the story of Santa Claus and the world’s cherished Christmas tale.
It’s said that Nicholas threw coins down the chimneys of local houses at night to help families in need. He also left gold coins in shoes and paid the dowries of poor local girls so they could enjoy a better life and marriage. It wasn’t until a local man caught him and spread the news of his actions that his good deeds were discovered. Nicholas then became a hero, so much so that the church made him Bishop of Myra, the Turkish town we now call Demre. Nicholas did great work for the church for many years, but he was forced to exile on St. Nicholas Island near Oludeniz to escape persecution. It was here that he lived out his days until his death on 6th December 343 AD.
By the time of his death, the story of Nicholas and his secret gift-giving had spread across Europe. The Dutch called him Sinter Klaas and went on to celebrate his life on the Feast of St. Nicholas every 6th December. Years later, 25th December was declared Christmas, and the story of Nicholas became connected over time. The bells, baubles, red suits, and reindeer gradually developed once the Americans embraced the story in the 1700s.
2. Turkish Delight symbolises a wise gift from the East
On the run-up to Christmas, local stores brim with chocolates and sweets. Candy canes are traditionally festive, but you also see boxes of Turkish Delight creep onto the supermarket Christmas displays. Many believe this is a nod back to the three wise men who carried gifts from the East. Real Turkish Delight, or lokum as it’s known locally, tastes far better than the mass-produced brands found elsewhere, so do be sure to pick up a few boxes whilst you’re in Türkiye for your Christmas celebrations.
3. Trees are decorated for New Year in Türkiye
Visit Türkiye in December and you would be forgiven for thinking it celebrates Christmas. The shops are filled with Santa hats, party nibbles and there are turkey’s ready to roast in the freezers. Fairy lights, tinsel and baubles adorn Christmas trees – but all of this is for New Year, not Christmas!
Türkiye is predominantly a Muslim country, so it doesn’t officially celebrate Christmas. Of course, the towns, tourist resorts, ex-pat communities and city hotels do commemorate the occasion, but December 25th is a typical working day for most Turks, and the kids attend school. If, however, you are looking to party over the holidays, the New Years Eve celebrations in Türkiye are spectacular!
4. Türkiyes come from North America, not Türkiye.
For many, a roast turkey with all the trimmings is the dish of the day at Christmas. Many assume this big tasty bird comes from Türkiye, but they actually originate in the States. It’s believed that Turkish traders used to sell African guinea fowl, a bird closely resembling a turkey, to Americans. The locals simply assumed the big birds were turkeys from Türkiye as the traders were Turkish!
5. Ataturk loved Poinsetta’s
Poinsetta’s, with their festive red and green leaves, are often referred to as the ‘Christmas plant’ and fill the shops and markets across Europe in December. But in Türkiye, they are known as Atatürk çiçeği or the Ataturk flower.
Ataturk is said to have loved poinsettia and encouraged their sale as a decorative house plant in Türkiye – so it became lovingly referred to as his flower. The Christmas connection stems back to Central America where they are called Flores de Noche Buena, referring to the night Jesus was born.
WE WISH YOU A HAPPY HOLIDAYS
We hope you enjoyed our look at Türkiye and its Christmas connections. 360 Yachting would like to thank all our clients, collaborators and readers for your continued support. We wish you a happy and healthy Christmas and a fabulous New Year.
