Flower of Fire

Tulips, indispensable flowers of Istanbul,

began to bloom:)

The Bosphorus Bridge and the Tulip
Awarded Tulip Photo of year 2007,
by Turkish photographer Feryal Guler

The tulip (Turkish: Lale) has always been a favorite of mine. A very important flower also for Turkish culture. And most importantly, it is the official symbol for the country Turkey.

Tulip has been a source of controversy. The story of tulip begins in the Ottoman capital, after which a brief but prosperous and peaceful period of the 18th century in Ottoman history is named, is one of the pleasure, luxury, heartbreak and death. Although the tulip is mostly associated with the Netherlands, before the tulip ever reached to Europe, they enjoyed a long and rich cultural history here on Turkish land. Even though the botanical origins of the tulip are not exactly known, most experts agree they originated thousands of years ago in an area stretching along 40-degrees latitude between northern China and southern Europe.

In the Turkish history, we obviously see that Tulip played an interesting role. Long before Europe heard about this new exotic flower, in the glorious days of the Ottoman Empire under Sultan Suleiman I, the Lawgiver Kanuni in the early 16th century the tulip was becoming a prominent object of interest for artists, and a favorite to decorate imperial yards and gardens. In his time, tulips became highly cultivated blooms, developed for the pleasure of sultan and his entourage.

The tulip varieties which are used to plant in Istanbul are:






The first tulipmania of this showy flower occured in the 18th century. The tulip reigned supreme and became a symbol of wealth and prestige, and the period later became known as the Tulip Era (Turkish: Lale Devri), expressed as an era of peace and enjoyment. A complete craze about tulips among the royalty and the nobility was the most significant feature of the time. With this period, Tulips became an important style of life from the arts -see my Art of Marbling (Turkish: Ebru) below, Red Tulip, I am an Ebru artist by the way:)-, folklore to the daily life. Many embroidery and textile clothing handmade by woman, carpets, tiles, ceramics, miniature, poetry, even life itself had tulip designs or shapes. Large tulip gardens around the Golden Horn were frequented by upscale people. Briefly, it was a period of arts, culture and architecture, and relatively peaceful period when the first Westernization attempts started in the Ottoman Empire. The tulip era lasted from 1718 to 1730. It come to an end after the Patrona Halil Revolt in 1730.

My 'Red Tulip' Decorative Artwork
made with L'Arte Ebru
(Traditional Turkish Marbling Art)

Actually in the 16th century they were brought to the Netherlands from Turkey, and quickly became widely popular. If we look today, tulips are cultivated in Holland in great numbers and in huge fields. Dutch bulbs, including tulips and daffodils, are exported all around the world, so people thinks that the Tulip is originated from the Netherlands as well;)

In fact, many cultivated varieties were widely grown in Turkey long before they were introduced to European gardens.


Now that Spring is in full bloom, and it holds a very special meaning for us Istanbulities. It's the 3rd International Istanbul Tulip Festival between Apr 5-13, 2008 and delights our pathways with over 8.5 million tulips planted around the City! Here is Yildiz Park, and gorgeous Tulips...




The campaign themed as Istanbul reunities with its Tulip launched by Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality beginning year 2005 in order to bring the tulip back to its motherland, and it is a radical landscaping revolution. Because it dramatically improved the look of the city giving a spirit of vitality and energy it has not seen in decades. Here is the giant lovely Tulip figures decorating Taxim Square:





Now-a-days the Tulips greet us everywhere we go -parks, gardens, streets, squares and along the roads. With their incredible variety of colors, heights and shapes, tulips are pivotal in beautifying Istanbul! Millions of tulip bulbs are being distributed to us being city's residents, and the tulips that herald spring in all the city's parks are certainly a colorful reminder of its past glory.

Here is Emirgan Grove, located on European side of the City. It's famous for three-pavilions that were built in 19th century. The following is White Pavilion with superb surrounding. A real heaven of Tulips gardens! One of my top favorite gardens in the City. Lets make a tour inside now:)






There are many activities in this year's Festival: The Most Beautiful 100 Tulips Photo competition, souvenir stands related to Tulip Festival concept at Taxim Square, Tulips sculpture and Design exhibitions at Kiosks and Pavilions, The Reflections of Tulip Exhibition at Topkapi Palace, Tulips Painting Exhibitions from famous Turkish Painters at Yildiz Palace, and concerts of different performers everyday between 11:00 to 19:30 at Taxim Square, Emirgan Park, Ortakoy Square, Bagdat Street and Goztepe Park -where I live in-.

A beautiful element of landscaping, symbolizing our yearning for a civilization that lasted several centuries, the tulip today is merely a beautiful flower that grows in Istanbul....

Which flower is indispensable to your city?