Fewer 4,000 visitors break the fast together on the first day of the Sultan of the Months: “There is clearly a need for our event” (Antwerp)
At the stroke of 8.45 pm on Saturday evening, the visitors of Sultan Der Maanden gathered at the tables in Antwerp Expo to eat. It is the first time after two years of corona that so many people have broken the fast together on an iftar. “I’m happy to be with family and friends again,” said visitor Semsi Aslan.
Sultan Der Maanden is already an intercultural family festival and is organized in the fasting month of Ramadan. It will take place in Antwerp Expo until Monday. It is organized by the organization Bindus, the former Union of Turkish Associations, who are committed to connecting with each other. There are workshops, lectures and music performances. There are stalls of entrepreneurs and associations on a market. The range of products is diverse, from religious books, clothes, olives, Easter eggs to the sweet Turkish Delight. According to Bindus director Selamet Belkiran, the latter contains a lot of energy. Another way of saying it’s calorie bombs.
The organization expects 6,000 visitors this extended weekend, but on Saturday evening alone about 4,000 people were present.
“This is the second edition of Sultan Der Maanden and the first time we can come again with many people,” says Belkiran. “Last year focused on an edition, but via live streaming. With this event we want to connect the Antwerp residents in the neighbourhoods. In the meantime, we experience that many people outside Antwerp also need such an event and they come to Antwerp.”
Ambiance
One of them is Baris Kizil from Vilvoorde. He watches with amusement as his son Melih (5) grabs an ice cream cone. The ice cream seller knows how to keep the ice cream out of the hands of the species. This is much to the delight of father and son.
“I come here to see people,” Baris says. “I am clearly not the only one. It is still after two years of corona. Young people couldn’t get out. Now they want to enjoy the ambiance of this iftar.”
Semsi Aslan sits at one of the tables with her daughter Didemnur and friend Gaukhar. They enjoy a date after a day of fasting. According to her, many people have been waiting for this event to get out together again.
“Here are people who have clearly agreed with family and friends,” says Semsi. “Some have taken their neighbors with them. There are many people of different goals, so not just Turks. The more souls, the more channel. I am happy to be with family and friends again.”