Community calendar for events marked visible from dashboard.
Dec 21 – Jan 30
Winter Forty
The “Big 40” of Winter. A time of inner reflection and survival.
Last Week of Dec
Old Man of Winter
The ritual of the “Old Man of Winter.” Skits are performed to chase away the old year.
Jan 13 – Jan 20
Rumi New Year
The Rumi New Year. Special bread (Zerefet) is baked.
Feb 1 – Feb 15
Khidr Fast
The Fast of Khidr. Usually the 2nd week of Feb. Focuses on the “Helper” of those in the cold.
Late February
Cemre
The “Falling of the Heat.” First into the air, then water, then earth.
March 7
Little Hawtemal
“Little Hawtemal.” Rituals at sacred springs (Jiar).
March 21
Great Hawtemal
“Great Hawtemal” (Newroz). The victory of light. Fire is the main element.
March 21
Newroz (New Year)
New day, new year, and renewal. Celebrated with fire, hope, and the victory of light.
Last Wed of March
Black Wednesday
“Black Wednesday.” A day of cleansing to remove any “darkness” left from winter.
March 6
Koçgiri Uprising
Sivas / Erzincan / Dersim • Alevi-Kurdish resistance and memory
March 8
International Working Women’s Day
Global • Women’s labour, equality, and solidarity
March 12
Gazi District Events (1995)
Istanbul • Urban Alevi resistance and justice memory
March 30
Kızıldere Massacre (1971)
Tokat • Revolutionary memory and solidarity
April 18
Aşık Daimi Passed Away (1983)
Sivas • Alevi minstrel memory
May 1
Labour Day
Global • Workers’ rights and solidarity
May 3
Mother’s Day
Global • Honouring mothers and family memory
May 5-6
Hıdrellez Spring Celebrations
Anatolia • Spring renewal and cultural celebration
May 6
Execution of Deniz, Yusuf, and Hüseyin (1972)
Turkey • Youth movement and political memory
May 17
Aşık Mahsuni Passed Away (2002)
Kahramanmaraş • Alevi folk poetry and justice voice
May 18
Ibrahim Kaypakkaya’s Martyrdom (1971)
Dersim / Elazığ • Revolutionary memory and anti-fascist struggle
June 6-7
Abdal Musa Celebrations
Antalya / Elmalı • Spiritual and cultural gathering
June 21
Father’s Day
Global • Honouring fathers and family memory
June 23-24
Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Events
Sivas • Poetry, resistance, and heritage
July 2
Sivas Madımak Massacre (1993)
Sivas • Loss of intellectuals and artists
July 4
Çorum Events (1980)
Çorum • Alevi memory and justice
August 16-18
Hacı Bektaş-ı Veli Commemoration Festivities
Nevşehir • Spiritual heritage and gathering
September 12
Military Coup (1980)
Turkey • 1980 repression and collective memory
October 10
Martyrdom of Hz. Hussein
Karbala • Mourning and justice memory
November 17
Aşık Hüdai Passed Away (2001)
Sivas • Alevi minstrel memory
November 18
Dersim Massacre and Execution of Seyit Rıza (1937)
Dersim • Dersim genocide and spiritual martyrdom
December 24
Kahramanmaraş Massacre (1978)
Kahramanmaraş • Forced displacement and pogrom memory
March 6-10, 2025
SNHR Report — Alawites Affected
Latakia / Tartus / Hama • 803 extrajudicial killings; highlight Alawites affected