Ceren Karlıdağ/ JINHA

IZMIR – With the spring holiday of Hıdırellez coming tonight, Roma women in the city of Izmir, Turkey say they are looking forward to celebrations across the city.

Tonight, those celebrating Hıdırellez will be tying their wishes to rosebushes, dancing around fires and holding picnics in open areas of the city. In the city of Izmir, Roma are planning a large celebration at the Izmir fairgrounds, as well as in the heavily Roma neighborhoods of Tarlabaşı, Doğançay and Tepecik.

"This is a tradition handed down by our ancestors," said Roma woman Gülperi Kar. "We try to keep it going."

Ebru Kaptan, who supports herself selling flowers, explains that her family makes their wishes by placing valuable objects like rings and money into copper receptacles. Another custom includes cooking money into stuffed vine leaves; the one who finds it will have good luck.

However, the Roma community faces strong discrimination in Turkey, including against their traditional celebrations.

"People need to not see us as contemptible," said Ebru.

(ck/fk/cm)