Planting Tulips in the Turkish Cultural Garden

The Republic of Turkey was founded on October 29, 1923 - 94 years ago. Last year in 2016 the Cleveland Turkish community dedicated the new Turkish Cultural Garden.

They gathered again one year later on Sunday October 29, 2017 to plant tulip bulbs in the Turkish Garden.

Though many think of the Dutch when they discuss tulips, tulips are actually native to Turkey. Tulips are the national flower of the Republic of Turkey with a history going back to its Ottoman roots.
Many cultivated varieties of tulips were widely grown in Turkey long before they were brought to Holland from Turkey In the 16th Century.

The time between 1718-1730 is called the "Tulip Era of Turkey". It was under the reign of sultan Ahmed III and tulips became an important style of life within the arts, folklore and the daily life during this peaceful time.

The botanical name for tulips, Tulipa, is derived from the Turkish word "tulbend" or "turban", which the flower resembles. It's considered as the King of Bulbs.

See more from the tulip planting in the Turkish Cultural Garden

International New Year Traditions

Here are a few international New Year traditions:

First Stepper. A very old tradition in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales revolves around your guests on New Year's Day. The first person to enter your home in the New Year will have a significant impact on year's to come. Here's how you can take part in this tradition. Make note of who that first person is to enter your home. In fact, you may want to write it down, since the information won't really be of use to you for a year. At then end of the year decide if your year has been a good one or a bad one; lucky or unlucky. If you feel it has been a positive year then on the next New Year's Day, don't let anyone else in the house until that first person from the "lucky year" comes in. If, however, you have had a bad or unlucky year, do whatever you must to have someone else be "the first stepper" into your home, so the luck will change for the upcoming year. The Dutch believe it is important to "eat out the Old Year and Eat in the New" so they start a meal before midnight and finish it after, just to be sure there is food all year. Although it is said that farm animals talk on New Year's Day, a superstition from Romania says it is important to avoid the animals because hearing them talk is very bad luck. Egyptians once believed that onions kept evil spirits away; so many New Year's dishes with Egyptian roots will include onions. Eating twelve grapes at midnight is a Spanish custom also said to bring good luck. In Denmark, residents keep a pile of dishes, all broken, in front of the door. For this they save old dishes and People usually throw these on the friends’ doors during New Year. This symbolizes friendship and brotherhood and they believe the one with maximum dishes outside, has the most friends. Some Danish are found to leap some chairs during midnight. Brazilians believe that lentils signify wealth and prosperity. So they serve food items made up of the legume like soup or rice on the New Year. Germans pour molten lead into cold water and the shape that is taken after, predicts the future. Heart shapes symbolize marriage whereas round shapes denote good luck; anchor shapes tell that you need help however a cross signifies someone’s sad demise. Filipinos consume grapes, have coins, wear polkas dotted dresses, as they have faith that circular things attract more fortune and money. They also throw coins as New Year begins to increase wealth and prosperity. Japanese New Year or Oshogatsu is meant for celebrations with family and it begins with proper decoration of the home to welcome luck and fortune. They clean the entire house, get themselves off from every financial liability, and resolve all issues before the New Year hits. They follow traditions of three things: a pine branch, called kadomatsu, denotes longevity; a stalk of bamboo symbolizes prosperity, whereas a plum blossom shows nobility. Before the clock strikes 12, they ring 108 bells to show that the all 108 troubles have been eliminated.

Toast to the King – Dutch King’s Day in Ohio

Martin van den Berg, Treasurer of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce introduced Paul Berget from the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, Cincinnati Chapter who led the toast to the King at the 17th annual State of Ohio celebration of King’s Day. http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/dutch/dutch.htm

Dutch National Anthem at King's Day in Ohio

Martin van den Berg, Treasurer of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, spoke at the 17th annual State of Ohio celebration of King’s Day. He introduced several committee members and then called upon Marian Brumbaugh to lead the singing of the Dutch National Anthem. http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/dutch/dutch.htm

17th annual Ohio celebration of Dutch King’s Day welcome

Roy McKinney welcomed the crowd to the 17th annual State of Ohio celebration of King’s Day.  He then introduced committee member Martin van den Berg, Treasurer of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, who introduced the event sponsor VMI and their CEO Harm Voortman. Mr. Voortman told of the tradition of King’s Day including the Flea Market.  http://www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/dutch/dutch.htm