Turkish people celebrate New Year's Eve with parties and special programs on television and radio that last until morning, as they do not celebrate Christmas. Many families host their own celebrations at home with rich meals and entertainment, often joining with other families. Another New Year's tradition is buying lottery tickets, as the yearly grand prize drawing is especially appealing. Additionally, Tombala is a popular traditional game played on New Year's Eve with family and friends at home, sometimes including small prizes. Santa Claus, called "Noel Baba" in Turkey, is believed to have actually lived in the country over a thousand years ago as the Bishop of Myra.

2. WELCOME 2014

3. New Year’s Day inTurkey
Turkish people do not celebrate Christmas but they
are marking the New Year. Many parties are held on
New Year's Eve. Night clubs, luxury hotels and
restaurants have special programs and menus, and
radio and television stations broadcast special
programs which last until morning.

4. Although many programs and parties are offered by
restaurants and night clubs,many families prefer
having their own parties at home. Often, several
families will get together to celebrate. The wives show
off their cooking skills by preparing richly set tables,
and everyone spends the night eating, watching
television, listening to music and dancing.

5. Another tradition of the new year is to buy a lottery
ticket.; Although the National Lottery Administration
holds three drawings a month with reasonable prizes,
the top prize for the new year challenges everyone to
get at least one ticket.

6. Tombala is one of our traditional games in Turkey.
Most of people play this game with their family or
friends every new year's eve. We usually play it in our
houses. Some of us define a prize for the winner.
When there is a prize in the game it is more exciting
for us. You can give small presents for players who has
made “çinko” too.

8. Santa Claus in Turkey
Santa Claus, or Saint Nicholas, is called "Noel Baba"
in Turkey. While the popular myth is that he lives at
the North Pole, he actually lived and died in Turkey
during the fourth century. He was the Bishop of Myra,
now called Demre, near Antalya.

9. We would like to wish you Happy New Year.
We are making postcards for you.
Let’s look at our works

15. KAZIM KARABEKİR PRIMARY SCHOOL
BURSA / TURKEY