Fener Alayı

Fener alayı is a ceremonial and festive practice conducted collectively on specific days and nights such as holidays and celebrations, in which participants carry light sources (lanterns, torches, etc.) and march through public spaces. It is defined as a nighttime communal activity held to mark occasions of celebration, commemoration, or those tied to religious and cultural calendars. Fener alayı functions both as a ritual repeated annually at fixed times within local traditions and as an element of official holiday and ceremonial programs.

Fener Alayı held in Çanakkale on the 109th Anniversary of Martyrs’ Day on 18 March and the Çanakkale Naval Victory (AA)

Historical Background

Fener alayı cannot be reduced to a single historical context; it is a practice that has been applied across different periods and for various purposes. During the Ottoman period, the existence of nighttime processions associated with palace festivities and major ceremonies demonstrates that light and fire had been used in public celebrations since early times. In the Republican era, fener alayı became a standard component of official programs during national holidays and victory celebrations, specifically in the evening segment.

The common features of fener alayı include the following elements:

• Execution during nighttime hours,
• Participants carrying light sources,
• Marching, gathering, or following a specific route,
• Purpose of celebration or commemoration.

Timing and Organization of Fener Alayı

Fener alayı is conducted in the evening or nighttime hours. In Republican-era urban programs, fener alayı typically begins around 8:00 PM, following daytime official ceremonies as part of the evening program. In local traditions, fener alayı is described as an event that begins after the evening call to prayer.

Fener alayı:

• In local traditions, is a ritual repeated annually within the same religious or cultural time period,
• In official holidays, is a celebratory element organized according to the calendar year (for example, every 29 October or 30 August).

Fener Alayı in the Context of Local Traditions

In Konya, fener alayı is directly linked to the tradition of shivlilik and is practiced within the religious calendar framework corresponding to the beginning of the three months. The fener alayı within the context of The tradition of shivlilik

• Takes place one night before Regaib Kandili,
• Constitutes the night preceding Şivlilik,
• Involves participation by children and families.

In this context, fener alayı in Konya is not merely a march but a comprehensive tradition encompassing practices such as fire lighting, lantern carrying, and community-wide collective participation. Historically, lanterns were prepared in homes or neighborhoods; today, pre-made lanterns have become widespread. Additionally, fire lighting and jumping over fire are practices that accompany fener alayı. Neighborhood residents emerge into the streets after the evening call to prayer, walk with lanterns, light fires in open and spacious areas, and jump over the flames.

Fener Alayı the Night Before Şivlilik in Konya (AA)

Fener Alayı in National and Official Celebrations

Fener alayı has been organized during national holidays and significant official days. During the National Struggle period, fener alayı was held to commemorate victories such as the liberation of Istanbul from occupation. This tradition continues to the present day.

During the National Struggle years, fener alayı became part of celebrations following military successes. Sources indicate that after the Battle of Sakarya, nighttime fener alayı processions were organized in various cities, with streets illuminated and crowds participating in collective marches. In this context, fener alayı served as one of the means to visibly manifest victory in the public sphere.

In the program for the Istanbul Liberation Day on 6 October 1923, fener alayı was included as a planned nighttime event. The program anticipated processions departing from different neighborhoods to march at a designated hour and converge at a specific point.

In the Republican era, fener alayı frequently featured in the evening program of October 29 Republic Day celebrations. Organized by Halkevleri, fener alayı during Republic Day served as a nighttime activity that complemented the daytime ceremonies.

Fener alayı is also included among the nighttime celebratory activities of the Victory Day on 30 August. In this context, fener alayı emerges as a ceremonial element that helps preserve military achievements in the collective social memory.

Fener Alayı in Antalya on the 101st Anniversary of the Republic (AA)

Social and Cultural Functions

Fener alayı is not merely an entertainment or marching activity; it also functions as a practice that:

• Strengthens social unity and solidarity,
• Fosters a shared sense of belonging among participants,
• Contributes to intergenerational cultural transmission.

Especially within the context of Konya shivlilik tradition, fener alayı is defined as an activity that involves active participation by children and facilitates the learning of traditional culture.

Fener alayı is not unique to Türkiye; similar nighttime processions occur in other societies during holidays, rituals, and festivals. In Western Anatolia, as early as 1921, fener alayı processions were organized in cities and towns under Greek occupation as an integral part of official celebrations planned and implemented by the Greek administration. These processions were particularly held on the occasion of King Constantine XII of Greece’s name day, and were structured as multi-stage ceremonies incorporating military, religious, and civil elements.