On Saturday, May 3, 2025, Techirghiol, Romania, hosted the Hîdîrlez Festival, an event organized by the Tatar Democratic Union and recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
Sponsored by the Romanian National Commission for UNESCO and funded by the Ministry of Culture, the festival celebrated the richness of the Tatar community, attracting visitors from all over the country.
The inauguration saw the speech of the President of the Union, Naim Belgin, followed by the speeches of the Secretary of State for Culture, Demeter András István, and Codrin Tăut of CNR-UNESCO, who underlined the importance of preserving the intangible heritage.
Also present were Atajan Beghanov from the Embassy of Turkmenistan, who donated symbolic gifts, and Aurora Caravasile from the Department for Minorities.
The heart of the festival, dedicated to spring and rebirth, were traditional activities: games such as mangala and kureș, Ebru painting and calligraphy workshops, food stands with șiberek and baklava, and artisan crafts.
The evening was enlivened by music and dance performances, with artists such as Aidin Gelal, Dr. Mesut Baubek and groups from Bulgaria and Moldova, culminating in the lighting of the “ancestor fire” on the Turquoise beach of Venus. Here, Demeter performed the traditional three leaps over the fire, a symbol of renewal.
Hîdîrlez, celebrated every May 6, is rooted in ancient beliefs related to duality and rebirth, embodied by the patrons Hızır and Ilyas. The 2025 edition aimed to convey these values to the youth, promoting intercultural education and cultural diversity. Thanks to the impeccable organization of Naim Belgin and partners such as Nokors and Ignis Vultus, the event ensured safety and involvement for all participants.
Article published on May 8, 2025 - 09:38 pm
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Hîdîrlez festival seems like an interesting event, I read that it brought a lot of visitors and that there were traditional activities, but I don't know much about games like mangala. I hope there will be more information next year.