Yeni Yıl in Türkiye

It's new year's eve in a Turkish household and çay (tea), Turk kahvesi (Turkish coffee), and soda is flowing.

Family is at the core of Turkish culture, and on this night, we gather together to celebrate the closing of one year and the opening of a new year with our dearest ones.

The 'good sitting' room at my grandparents' house, used only on special occasions, is filled with family chatting with the New Year's programmes that are broadcast every year playing in the background. These are a mix of Turkish songs and comedy.

It's at this time that some Turks would decide to enter the new year national lottery in the hopes of becoming a millionaire. I haven't been successful yet, nor has anybody in my family, but we are always consoled by laughter and buttery baklava; a traditional Turkish dessert. We also play tombala together, which is the same as bingo.

As the clock strikes midnight, we hug and kiss one another. In the Anatolian region, which is where I am from, we sometimes decide to take a drive to Cappadocia, which is known for its stone fairy chimneys and valleys, where pilots bring tourists and locals out on hot air balloons. There we might watch a firework display and, if we're not feeling too tired, we might stay until about 4am when the balloons will fly for sunrise.

On New Year’s Day, we again gather with family and share an open buffet dinner with dolmas (stuffed pepper), salads, meat, and of course baklava.

To wish a Turkish person a happy new year, say: ‘mutlu yıllar’.

* written by Ayberk Yavuz