„Bayram“ is a Turkish word meaning „festival“ or „holiday“ in English. Bayram is the name given to religious and national holidays.
Bayram: Religious holidays in Turkey
- Ramazan Bayramı (festival of breaking the fast as the end of Ramadan; also called „Şeker Bayramı“ and in German „Zuckerfest“; (meaning „Sweet Festival“); see also: Eid Mubarak)
- Kurban Bayramı (Feast of Sacrifice)
- Hamursuz bayramı (Passover; Jewish holiday)
- Paskalya Bayramı (Easter; usually Easter is called „paskalya yortusu“ in Turkey. However, some Turks also refer to the festival as „Paskalya Bayramı.“)
The most important festivals in Islam are „Ramazan Bayram“ and „Kurban Bayram“. The Arabic name for „Kurban Bayram“ is „Eid ul Adha“. In German it is called „Opferfest“. The Arabic name for „Ramazan Bayram“ is „Eid al-Fitr“. In English, it refers to the „Eid al-Fitr“ and „Festival of Breaking the Fast“.
Ramazan Bayram begins on the 1st of Şevval (Schauwāl, Shawwal) following the fasting month of Ramadan. Kurban Bayram, the Feast of Sacrifice, takes place from the 8th to the 13th day in the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar. This month is called „Dhū l-Hijjah.“ The Feast of Sacrifice is celebrated on four days.
By the way, the word „Kurban“ means „sacrifice“ in English.
Congratulations: Congratulate on the Bayram
Those who want to congratulate on „Ramazan Bayram“ and „Kurban Bayram“ can say the following words:
- Bayramınız mübarek olsun (English: May your Bayram be blessed).
- İyi bayramlar (English: Happy celebration / happy holidays).
- Eid Mubarak (English: Happy celebration / happy holidays)
„Hepinizin bayramı mubarek olsun“ is said to a group and means in English“I wish you all a happy holiday“.
Mixed forms such as „Happy Bayram“ or „All the best for Bayram“ are also said.
On national Turkish holidays, the following may be wished:
Bayramınız kutlu olsun (English: Happy holiday).
See also:
- Why is Ramadan so important for Muslims?
- What does „Ramadan Mubarak“ & „Ramadan Kareem“ mean in English?
- What does „Eid Mubarak“ mean in English?
- Ramadan dictionary
Bayram: Public holidays in Turkey
- Yılbaşı Bayramı (New Year’s Day; shortened to „Yılbaşı“).
- Ulusal Egemenlik ve Çocuk Bayramı (National Sovereignty and Children’s Day holiday on April 23)
- İşçi Bayramı (Labor Day on May 1).
- Atatürk’ü Anma, Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı (Holiday of Youth, Sports and the Memory of Atatürk on May 19)
- Denizcilik ve Kabotaj Bayramı (Coastal Navigation Day holiday on July 1)
- Zafer Bayramı (Victory Day on Aug. 30)
- Cumhuriyet Bayramı (Republic Day on October 29).
State holidays have a fixed date in Turkey. Religious holidays are calculated according to the Islamic calendar and therefore shift every year.
What is special about Republic Day („Cumhuriyet Bayramı“) is that it begins at 1 p.m. on October 28 and lasts 35 hours. The „Republic Day“ commemorates Atatürk, who proclaimed the Turkish Republic in 1923.
Other Bayram
These Bayram are not official holidays in Turkey.
The day of the Turkish language takes place on September 26. This day is called „Dil Bayrami.“
- „Christmas“ in Turkish is called „Noel Bayramı“.
- „Halloween“ is called in Turkish: „Cadılar Bayramı“ (Literally it means „Witch Bayram“).
The Albanian and Bosnian spelling of „Bayram“ is „Bajram“. In Albania and „Bosnia and Herzegovina“ the Muslim Eid and Feast of Sacrifice is celebrated. Eid is called „Ramazanski bajram“. The Feast of Sacrifice is called „Kurban-bajram“.
Other meaning of Bayram
„Bayram“ is also a Turkish given name and surname. Canan Bayram is a German politician of the party Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen. Bayram Türkmen is a German SPD politician.
„Bayram“ is a song by Summer Cem feat. Elias. It was released on July 26, 2019.
„Bu Gün Bayram“ is a song by Barış Manço.
„Bugün Bayram“ is a song by Mesut Kurtis feat. Maher Zain.