New Year’s Day Celebration with Costumes and Kalandar Festivities
An event was organized on January 13 in Kalandar, marking the first day of the new year according to the Greek calendar in the Eastern Black Sea Region. The celebration, led by the Trabzon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TTSO), Trabzon EU Information Center, and TOBB Trabzon Provincial Women Entrepreneurs Board, brought together community members to revive the bag-throwing tradition.
The colorful event took place on Uzun Street, one of the city’s busiest streets, where the Trabzon Theater Association showcased interesting costumes and performances. Citizens showed great interest in the celebration, which featured vibrant images and revived the tradition of throwing bags filled with gifts while reciting poems.
The main program was held in Atatürk Area, with Trabzon Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ahmet Metin Genç and Ortahisar Mayor Ahmet Kaya joining in on the festivities. Mayor Kaya expressed his desire to turn the Kalandar celebration into a festival, highlighting the importance of preserving the city’s intangible cultural heritage.
Mayor Genç emphasized the significance of ancient cultures and traditions in Trabzon, stating that the Kalandar celebrations are an integral part of the city’s heritage. He announced plans to organize a horon festival in the summer, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Trabzon.
Following speeches by local officials, the event continued with theater performances, distribution of calandar bag gifts, and serving of traditional desserts. The community came together to celebrate and preserve the unique traditions of the Eastern Black Sea Region, ensuring that the spirit of Kalandar lives on for generations to come.
