Ramadan Feast was celebrated in Yunus Emre Institute centers around the world. In addition to the eid celebrations held in many centers from Argentina to Doha, the London Municipality organized a special celebration program in the famous Trafalgar Square of London, the capital of England. London Yunus Emre Institute participated in the celebration program by setting up a booth, where they introduced Turkish traditional handcrafts and informed visitors about the Institute's activities.

THE JOY OF RAMADAN FEAST IN LONDON'S FAMOUS TRAFALGAR SQUARE

In addition to Muslims in England, many people from different religions and tourists visiting the capital showed interest in the "Eid in the Square" program organized in Trafalgar Square with the contribution of the London Municipality on May 7th, 2022.

In the event, where Turkish artists performed, musical concerts specific to different cultures were held, and prominent dishes of Indian, Pakistani, Turkish, Venezuelan, Somali and Uzbek cuisines were sold at the stands opened in the square.

In the celebration event, which also included a children's choir, the stories of well-known successful Muslims in the fields of sports, art and literature were shared.

London Yunus Emre Institute (YEI) workers also informed the visitors about the works of the Institute and introduced the art of marbling at the booth they set up.

"WE PROMOTE BOTH OUR COUNTRY AND OUR INSTITUTE"

London Yunus Emre Institute Director Mehmet Karakuş stated that they promoted both the institute and Turkey at the YEI stand.

Karakuş stated that they gave information about traditional Turkish arts to those who visited the stand at the event where the Ramadan Feast was celebrated, answered questions about marbling, calligraphy and illumination, and received a lot of attention.

Promoting the art of marbling at the London Yunus Emre Institute stand, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Faculty Member Prof. Ahmet Sacit Açıkgözoğlu also noted that this event gave them an opportunity to promote Turkish cultural arts, that many showed great interest in marbling.

Açıkgözoğlu stated: “It is impressive to people how marbling enables a multi-colored art that is made in water and transferred to a piece of paper so quickly. People prefer marbling to arts that take a lot of time, as marbling happens instantly.”

"TO EXPERIENCE THE ART OF MARBLING IS VERY IMPRESSIVE"

Sinem Şahin, one of the attendees of the event, said that she is pleased to be at this eid celebration organized by the Mayor of London, Sadık Han.

Şahin expressed that she felt the enthusiasm of the eid event held after a two-year hiatus, and that it was very impressive to watch and experience the promotion of the art of marbling.

Elif, one of the children who attended the celebration with her family and friends, expressed that she enjoyed visiting the stands where children's hands are decorated with henna, as well as the Yunus Emre Institute stand showcasing the art of marbling.

The eid celebration, organized by the London Municipality in Trafalgar Square since 2006, could not be held for the last two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

EID CELEBRATION IN DOHA

On the first day of Eid al-Fitr, a festive ceremony was held at Doha Yunus Emre Institute.

Especially our Embassy staff, Turks living in Doha, businessmen, academics, students, children and Qataris who are interested in Turkey attended the ceremony.

After the feast, the guests were served baklava, pastries, tea and coffee, which are among the flavors of Turkish cuisine served during the holidays. Institute Director Prof. Ömer Özkan also gave a short speech about the feasr culture.