Ha ha haaaaay! Every year on May 5-6, the Turkish Roman community congregates in Edirne, Turkey, to celebrate the coming of Spring, known as Hidrellez. A celebratory area outside Edirne is full of color and movement as locals dance to the 9/8 Roman rhythm from afternoon to morning. Songs are sung constantly accompanied by the duval (drum) and zurna (horn) and the call of Izmirli Erco’s “ha ha haaaay” song is frequent. A large fire burns in the evening. And in the morning people bathe and throw papers containing their wishes into the nearby river for good luck. Women of marital age dress in white gowns to symbolize their readiness for marriage. Roman people say that jumping over the fire or bathing in the river will purify you of your sins. Hidrellez is festive, magically unique and oh so fun. Take a bit of cash, as tipping the musicians and dancers is a polite way to say “Thank you for this dance.” Every May, Burcu of Oriental Istanbul has a tour for dancers to the festival, but spaces fill fast—get in quick. Check out the website also for bellydance intensive tours with international master teachers.
Guests at Esalen in Big Sur, California, spend much of their time soaking in views of the Pacific Ocean.
Photo by Angie Smith
Find solitude in the Northern California countryside at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.
Photo by Stacey Evett Miller
Participants practice zazen, the form of meditation at the very heart of Zen practice, at Zen Mountain Monastery in the Catskills.
Courtesy of Zen Mountain Monastery
Rolling Meadows retreats put as much value on unscheduled time for strolling the grounds or relaxing in a wood-fired sauna as they do on scheduled meditations.
Courtesy of Rolling Meadows
Courtesy of the Art of Living Retreat Center
Guests at Esalen in Big Sur, California, spend much of their time soaking in views of the Pacific Ocean.
Photo by Angie Smith; design by Emily Blevins
Participants practice zazen, the form of meditation at the very heart of Zen practice, at Zen Mountain Monastery in the Catskills.
Courtesy of Zen Mountain Monastery; design by Emily Blevins
Find solitude in the Northern California countryside at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.
Photo by Stacy Evett-Miller/Spirit Rock Meditation Center; design by Emily Blevins
Pair meditation with yoga or an Ayurvedic experience at the Art of Living Retreat Center in North Carolina.
Courtesy of Art of Living Retreat Center; design by Emily Blevins
Design by Emily Blevins
More Recommendations
Hidrellez Festival with Oriental Istanbul
Ha ha haaaaay! Every year on May 5-6, the Turkish Roman community congregates in Edirne, Turkey, to celebrate the coming of Spring, known as Hidrellez. A celebratory area outside Edirne is full of color and movement as locals dance to the 9/8 Roman rhythm from afternoon to morning. Songs are sung constantly accompanied by the duval (drum) and zurna (horn) and the call of Izmirli Erco’s “ha ha haaaay” song is frequent. A large fire burns in the evening. And in the morning people bathe and throw papers containing their wishes into the nearby river for good luck. Women of marital age dress in white gowns to symbolize their readiness for marriage. Roman people say that jumping over the fire or bathing in the river will purify you of your sins. Hidrellez is festive, magically unique and oh so fun. Take a bit of cash, as tipping the musicians and dancers is a polite way to say “Thank you for this dance.” Every May, Burcu of Oriental Istanbul has a tour for dancers to the festival, but spaces fill fast—get in quick. Check out the website also for bellydance intensive tours with international master teachers.
