Forget national days dedicated to flags, heroes, or battles. Turkmenistan has a holiday that’s all about melons. Yes, you read that right. Melons. Welcome to Gawun Bayramy, also known as Melon Day, where the country goes bananas, or should we say, melons, in celebration of this juicy, sweet fruit. It’s a day of fun, flavour, and melon madness, and it’s just as awesome as it sounds.
What is Melon (Gawun Bayramy) Day?
Gawun Bayramy happens on the second Sunday of August, which just happens to be the best time to bite into a perfectly ripe, sugary melon. Turkmenistan isn’t messing around when it comes to melons — they have over 430 types. Some are tiny (think melon golf balls) and others are the size of a baby… ok, maybe not a baby, but they’re big. The Myhmansovar melon can weigh up to 25 kilos! That’s right, 25 kilos of pure melon greatness.
This isn’t just a snack — melons are the heart and soul of Turkmen food culture. They're in everything: fresh, dried, in jams, juices, and probably some secret melon-flavoured treats we don’t even know about.
When is Melon (Gawun Bayramy) Day?
Mark your calendar: Gawun Bayramy is the second Sunday of August. Why? Because that’s when the melons are in their prime, and Turkmenistan’s farmers are ready to show off their best fruits. It’s like fashion week, but with fruit.
What Happens on Melon (Gawun Bayramy) Day?
So, what goes down on the juiciest holiday of the year? Here’s what you can expect:
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Melon Competitions : Forget pie-eating contests. At Gawun Bayramy, farmers battle it out for the title of “Best Melon”. Think beauty pageant, but for melons. There’s judging, there's tension, and there’s a whole lot of melon. The winners take home some serious bragging rights — and probably some melon-themed trophies.
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Melons Everywhere : If you’re not eating melon, are you even living? On Melon Day, melons are everywhere. People are slicing them up in the streets, making melon juice, and creating epic melon-based dishes. If you’ve ever wanted to have a whole day dedicated to melon, this is your dream come true.
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Melon Parade : There are floats, there are dancers, and there’s a whole lot of melon. The streets are filled with colourful, melon-adorned parades, where everyone gets in the spirit and celebrates the bounty of the land. You won’t find a more melon-obsessed parade anywhere else!
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Gift a Melon : You know how on other holidays people gift chocolate or flowers? On Gawun Bayramy, it’s all about giving melons. Want to say “thank you”? Hand over a melon. It’s the perfect gift, and it says, “I appreciate you... and I also want to share this ridiculously sweet melon with you”.
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Just Have Fun! : Melon Day is as much about having a blast as it is about honouring the fruit. Think of it as one big festival where the community gets together, shares food, laughs, dances, and just has an all-round good time.
Melon Day vs. Other Fun Food Days
Sure, Gawun Bayramy might seem a little out there, but it’s not the only food holiday that’s got people talking. Here are a few other holidays around the world that know how to have a food-fueled good time:
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Mooncake Festival (China) : While this festival involves mooncakes (sweet, round pastries that are the size of a small planet), it’s also a time to kick back, look at the moon, and appreciate family. It’s like Gawun Bayramy... but with fewer melons and more moon-gazing.
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Oktoberfest (Germany) : Think beer, pretzels, and bratwurst. What more could you want? Oktoberfest is the world’s biggest beer festival, but it’s also all about big food and having a huge party.
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Pancake Day : Also known as Shrove Tuesday, which is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. When the entire world gets on board with eating pancakes all day, you know it’s going to be a good time. Slather on some syrup, add whipped cream, and dive in. Pancakes for breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? Yes, please.
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La Tomatina (Spain) : No melons here, but there are lots of tomatoes. La Tomatina is a massive tomato fight where everyone gets drenched in juicy red goodness. If you like messy food holidays, this one’s for you.
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Chuseok (South Korea) : A little more formal than Gawun Bayramy, but still all about the food! Chuseok celebrates the harvest with delicious food like songpyeon (sweet rice cakes) and plenty of family time.
Melon Day (Gawun Bayramy) is a festival like no other. It’s a celebration of melons, community, and fun. Whether you’re tossing melons in the air, slicing them up with friends, or just chilling with a big ol’ chunk of melon in hand, it’s a day to celebrate the sweet things in life — literally.
So, if you find yourself in Turkmenistan in August, don’t be shy — grab a melon, join the festivities, and let the sweet, sweet melon madness begin!
