Dear All,
As March comes to an end, so too does the most sacred month in Islam: Ramadan. Historically, Ramadan has been accompanied by diverse performative traditions, yet it remains distinct from the carnivalesque. It is not a month of ekstasis or subversion but of humility and introspection—not a time of metamorphosis, but of meditative focus, recentring oneself without being blinded by status or material possessions.
The festivities of Eid al-Fitr, which follow Ramadan, involve wearing fine clothes and savouring laboriously prepared dishes and sweets. Yet at its core, Eid is a celebration of reunion—a time to gather with family and loved ones in gratitude.
Today, it is important to mention that the world is fraught with chaos, and sadly, not all Muslims can experience the tranquillity and peace that Ramadan is meant to embody. As the Israel-Palestine conflict endures, in Türkiye—where I and over 1.5 million people in Germany originate from—the final days of Ramadan inevitably transform into a righteous mass protest for democracy and equality.
To honour Eid al-Fitr and the Turkish community in Cologne, we have selected Nasreddin Hoca as FOW and the Ramadan lights in Ehrenfeld as CC. In the spirit of unity and wit—enjoy!
CC: Ehrenfeld stands out as one of Cologne’s hippest districts, celebrated for its vibrant mix of diverse culinary offerings, street art, boutique gift shops, and thriving coffee culture. Beyond its trendy appeal, it serves as a true hub of multicultural coexistence—a place where people of different cultures and religions live harmoniously. This month, Ehrenfeld celebrates the second instalment of Ramadan Lights, with bright crescent moons illuminating both sides of the main street beneath the greeting "Ramadan Kareem." But this year, as WDR reported, things took a delightfully 'curious' turn. Ramadan collided with Carnival season—traditionally marked by streets decked in blue-and-gold flags for the parade. In a move so fitting for Cologne, organizers from both celebrations embraced the overlap: fifty-eight Carnival flags shared lampposts with lunar decorations. The curious juxtaposition continued with campaign posters from recent federal elections still clinging to the poles, completing this a spontaneous testament to Ehrenfeld's urban spirit.
FOW: A figure straddling history and legend, Nasreddin Hoca reigns as one of the Islamic world’s most beloved folk heroes, blurring the lines between sage and fool. For centuries, his anecdotes have traversed borders, from Anatolia to the Balkans, the Middle East to China, adapting to cultures while retaining their sharp, questioning core of everyday practices—symbolized by him riding his donkey the wrong way around. The Hoca’s genius lies in his ability to cloak subversion in humour. He punctures hypocrisy, skewers rigid authority, and exposes the absurdities of human pretension. According to one anecdote, Hoca was riding his donkey backwards—as always—through town. "Hoca, you’re sitting the wrong way!" people laughed. "No," he replied, "it’s the donkey who’s backwards—I’m facing the right direction!"
In the hope that the world, too, finds its right direction, we wish you all a happy Eid al-Fitr—surrounded by loved ones, dressed in fine clothes, and savouring delicious food.
Warmest wishes
Enes Türkoğlu
on behalf of the Cologne Team