The Şivlilik Festival, organized to celebrate the beginning of the three months, was held in Balat with the participation of many children. With the Balat Şivlilik Festival, organized with the cooperation of Anatolian Youth Association (AGD) Fatih Branch and Istanbul History, Culture and Civilization Research Association (İSKAD), the little ones celebrated the three months of their tradesmen uncles, kissed their hands and received their presents. Filling their bags with candy, chocolate and wafers, the children had a great time playing swings, sacks and balloons in the garden of Yusuf Sucaeddin Mosque.
The Balat Şivlilik Festival, which was organized for the second time this year with the cooperation of Anatolian Youth Association (AGD) Fatih Branch and Istanbul History, Culture and Civilization Research Association (İSKAD), put a smile on the faces of the children. Innocent hearts visited the shopkeepers in their neighborhoods and collected candy, chocolate and wafers. The lit lanterns illuminated the Balat skies. With frills, candy and balloon games, the event was worth seeing as the children were filled with happiness. The event, which started in front of the Tahta Minare Mosque, was attended by some tradesmen and families. It ended in the garden of Yusuf Sucaeddin Mosque on the coast of Balat.
WHAT IS “ŞİVLİLİK”?
Şivlilik, which is a 500-year-old Anatolian tradition, is known as the oil lamp celebration tradition made by children at the beginning of the three months. A lantern procession is held the day before Şivlilik, and the children of the neighborhood walk the streets with lanterns, singing songs and folk songs. In the morning of the next day, that is, on the morning of Laylat al-Raghaib (Regaip Kandili), the children perform the morning prayer and go out to collect candy in the first light of the day. Neighborhood people and shopkeepers give gifts such as candy, nuts, wafers and sweets, which they have prepared in advance, to children. The boy who comes to the door calls out “Şivlilik”. When he receives his gift, he kisses the hand of his elders, celebrates the laylat al (Kandil) and goes to the other house or shop. Thanks to AGD and ISKAD, Şivlilik continues to be celebrated as a revived tradition in Balat since 2022.