Mosaic is the art of creating images with an assemblage of small pieces of colored glass, stone, or other materials. It may be a technique of decorative art, an aspect of interior decoration, or of cultural and spiritual significance such as in a cathedral. Small pieces, mostly roughly square, of stone or glass of different colors, known as tesserae, (diminutive tessellae), are used to create a pattern or picture. The earliest known examples of mosaics made of different materials were found at … Read more
Pekmez Carob and Grape Molasses
The thick, sticky syrup from carobs and grapes. Molasses is a syrup that is made by boiling and thickening the grapes and similar fruits. The healthy components extracted from these fruits include disease-fighting antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Among several potential benefits, grape molasses may help restore iron in anaemic people; and a compound in carob molasses may benefit those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Grape molasses can be used to sweeten cookies, cakes and … Read more
Nowruz Ancient new year celebration
Nowruz, literally meaning 'a new day' is an ancient celebration day and a ritual celebrated by many nations and communities in a wide geographical region from Central Asia to the Balkans. Nowruz is a joyful celebration for the arrival of spring as the new year in the northern hemisphere, accompanied by unique cultural colors, beliefs and ceremonies. It is celebrated on the day of the astronomical Northern equinox, which occurs on March 21. Nowruz has deep and rich roots as a festival and ritual … Read more
Sufi Whirling Reconnection with the whole
Sufi whirling (or Sufi spinning) is a form of Sama, or physically active meditation, that originated among Sufis, and which is still practiced by the Sufi Dervishes of the Mevlevi order. It is a customary dance performed within the Sema, or worship ceremony, through which dervishes (also called semazens) aim to reach the source of all perfection, or kemal. This is sought through abandoning one's nafs, egos or personal desires, by listening to the music, focusing on God, and spinning one's body … Read more
Charity Meals Ramadan Charity meals (mawa'id Rahman موائد رحمن)
Muslims fast the whole month of Ramadan from dawn to sunset. Fasting is a compulsory ritual for adult Muslims, unless they have any health problems which will make it difficult for them to fast, such as taking essential medications which they can't skip, or their doctors recommend that they cannot withstand such long fasting period. During the holy month of Ramadan some rich people arrange breakfast meals for the poor people. These can be either done by individuals, or group of people to provide … Read more
Arabesque Wood work
The Arabesque is a form of artistic decoration consisting of 'surface decorations based on rhythmic linear patterns of scrolling and interlacing foliage, tendrils' or plain lines, often combined with other elements. Within the very wide range of Eurasian decorative art that includes motifs matching this basic definition, the term 'arabesque' is used consistently as a technical term by art historians to describe only elements of the decoration found in two phases: Islamic art from about the 9th … Read more
Rug Carpets Artful creation of knotted rugs
The gradual spread of the art of the knotted carpet, over the centuries, around the globe has proved to be a hindrance in solving the mystery of its origin. However, many different carpet fragments have unearthed during excavations around the world. Strong evidence collected from the Middle East region shows that carpet weaving was extensively carried out there during the 2nd-3rd BC. Therefore, it is termed as the cradle of carpet weaving. People migrating to areas from Turkestan to the west, … Read more
Village Plays Entertainment as Intangible Cultural Heritage
Village plays (Koy Seyirlik Oyunlari), known as “villager theatre”, are ceremonial plays performed to celebrate the new year, and for wealth and health under the name of “making play” “performing a play” on certain days of the year. These plays are performed in homes in winter as well as in open spaces. Village plays, with a structure of presentational theatre, are presented all together. In other words, they are played to villagers by villagers who deal with this activity. Therefore, the … Read more
Grow Like a Plant How do you tune in to the will of the Universe?
Through my life I face the phenomena that society demands of me to put labels on myself and to be able to formulate what I want to do with my life. I usually don’t have a clue, so I just say something that feels appropriate in the moment. Yet what do I want is a question for the mind. I may also consider what my heart has to say about it. During a lecture, I heard something that struck me. The teacher said, 'the universe has a plan with you. Let go of what you want and tune in to what the … Read more
Ramadan Lantern Festival Illumination
The Ramadan lantern became famous in Egypt during the Fatimid rule. Since this period the manufacture of the Ramadan lantern has become a famous handicraft in Egypt. There are many categories of craftsmen connected to this tradition, which represents to them a source of income. Though the lantern is considered to be a seasonal toy and decoration craft, it takes months for craftsmen to produce the lanterns to be ready for kids and also for decoration before the holy month of Ramadan. The … Read more
