Balkan tradition 'Koleda' held in Kırklareli: Celebrated for 7 years

Participants in the event, organized for the 7th time this year by the Büyükmandıra Municipality, painted their faces at stands set up in Culture Park. Some citizens wore masks and white sheets.

The 'Koleda fire' was lit by Babaeski District Governor Tamer Orhan and Büyükmandıra Mayor Ersan Çölgeçen.

Some of the participants went to the doors of houses and workplaces to scare the residents.

Citizens lit fires in Culture Park and enjoyed themselves with music.

Some citizens also took souvenir photos with the scary figures found in the area.

Mayor Ersan Çölgeçen told reporters that Koleda is a Balkan tradition.

Explaining that Koleda has been celebrated for 7 years, Çölgeçen noted that there was a very significant turnout for the event this year.

Citizen Murat Karataş stated that the event is held on cold winter nights.

Explaining that pumpkin dessert is made in every home on this night to cleanse from evil, Karataş said, "We have a lot of fun, we scare the people in the houses, we knock on the windows and ask for pumpkin dessert."

Afterward, the citizens enjoyed themselves with music.