A perfect recipe for big, fat turkish wedding. Ingredients: the couple in love, abounded amount of friends and relatives, loose bodies and rampant on the Middle East known melodies, emotion and future projects, an alternating white dress color and tradition, a disproportionate number of delicious turkish food dishes, all served a sprinkling of authenticity, passion and enthusiasm
Cooking time: an entire night to remember for a lifetime. To frame the happy event is the scenic countryside of the city of Antioch, known as Antakya, land border between Turkey and Syria, steeped in history and sacredness, situated on the banks of the river Asi Nehri, the ancient Orontes River. In past centuries had managed to earn the title of "Queen of the East" due to its commercial vitality
and cultural. Today, however, it is especially famous for hosting the cave church which takes the name of St. Peter's Grotto, where the apostle preached for the first, very first time in history. The place of receipt, an elegant Ottoman style not far from the city center, is preparing to welcome hundreds of guests anxiously waiting. On the tables, dressed in white linen cloths, stands the intense blue of the favors, consisting of small Nazar Boncuk, or the typical talisman Turkish matrix in the shape of half-title that serves to repel the negative spirits. Waiting for the arrival all the guests, I am offered me tea. We should change the phrase "smoking like turkish" in "to drink tea as a turkish "
They
call çay, serve it in small glass cups with a tapered shape and,
accompanied by secular rituals, it is consumed at any time of day or
night. Served
too hot then, waiting for it to cool, you take advantage of those few
minutes to enjoy a moment of rest and to swap two chicchere in the
company. The
parents of the couple, trying to disguise that mixture of excitement
and nervousness, proud smile at the entrance of the building, welcoming
the growing number of cars arriving at the entrance. Yes, I want. And 'finally all set, which the party begin! Once at the table I could not help myself from wanting to taste everything. The food was delicious. Thanks
to its geographical position, Antakya has many similarities with the
Arab culture, especially with regard to the culinary sphere. My
palate, then, had before him the embarrassment of the choice: generous
plates of hummus, chickpea sauce and sesame seeds, topped with excellent
olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, chopped parsley and paprika. And then falafel,
fried and spicy meatballs made with beans, alternating with generous plates of olives and Muhammara, a creamy pepper sauce, breadcrumbs and nuts. All washed down with liters of chilled white wine and raki, a highly alcoholic beverage as well as a source of pride in the Turkish tradition, consisting of water, anise and mint. It 'amazing how the simple ingredients so they can give birth to so refined dishes. The couple, after being gloriously entered the room, greeted by the applause of all present, greeted each guest. Her, wrapped in a beautiful white dress, carrying a basket in which the guests handing out the gift of a gold coin. Alternatively, those who preferred to give directly the classic but always well liked money, attacked him with a safety pin directly on the jacket of the birthday
The
dances are opened to the tune of skilled drummers and zurna players,
one to a typical wind instrument of the Arab countries. From that time the Middle Eastern rhythm begins to flow in the veins of every guest, taking possession of the entire room. As
per tradition, even if for a few minutes, all those present have the
opportunity to dance with the couple and to celebrate it, then, through
the powerful fascination of music. Dozens and dozens of hands-free swim in the air, snapping his fingers. The task of men is quite simple: keep the high and arms outstretched at your sides, making small moves wrapped around himself. Women,
by contrast, more feminine, they swung their hands up, as if they had
an invisible pencil between the fingers with which to draw so many
different images, and then, at the end of the evening, guess profile. Modern belly dancers in high heels fairs retrace centuries of history through the movements of your body.
I had the feeling of being inside a movie surrounded by an authentic, pure and beautiful spirit turkish, observed and quietly protected by the many eyes luck intent to dispel any kind of negative energy. Mediterranean flavors and colors of a land not too far away who meet to weave a single thread that unites a contemporary tradition. The testimony of a people who still dazzles thanks to its genuine essence. A window of a rich panorama of shades in warm colors, bright, alive. An innate need of sharing and hospitality, unfortunately, too often has ceased to be part of our daily lives. A young couple confirms, before the eyes of hundreds of witnesses, the strength of their love. A fragment of the world in the world. A music fragment in music. A fragment of beauty in the beauty. All in All. A big, fat wedding turkish .
