Turkey and Tulips

Everybody thinks that tulips come from Holland. Actually, Tulips are native to Central Asia and Turkey.
In the 16th Century they were brought to Holland from Turkey, and quickly became widely popular.
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 it’s originated from there as
well. In fact, many cultivated varieties were widely grown in Turkey long before they were
introduced to European gardens.
In the 17th century the overgrown interest and high popularity of Tulips brought a sort
of “Tulipmania” in Holland. Especially in 1637, bulbs were highly praised and prices
gone up day by day reaching extraordinary numbers. Bulbs were sold by weight,
usually while they were still in the ground. Some examples could cost more than a house
at this time. The Dutch government unsuccessfully tried to outlaw this commerce but
couldn’t do anything to stop it, the trade was all about access and demand. But the
end of the game came quick: Over-supply led to lower prices, dealers went
bankrupt, many people lost their savings, and the tulip market crashed.
Also in the Turkish history Tulip played an interesting role. The period between
1718-1730 was called the “Tulip Era”, under the reign of sultan Ahmed III. This
period is also expressed as an era of peace and enjoyment. Tulips became an important
style of life within the arts, folklore and the daily life of the Turkish people.
Many of the embroidered and textile clothing handmade by woman, as well as
many carpets, tiles, miniatures etc. had tulip designs or shapes. Large tulip gardens
around the Golden Horn were frequented by upscale people. Also, the first printing
house was founded by Ibrahim Müteferrika in Istanbul. The Tulip Era was
brought to an end after the Patrona Halil revolt in 1730, ending with the dethronation
of the Sultan.
The botanical name for tulips, Tulipa, is derived from the Turkish word
“tulbend” or “turban”, which the flower resembles. It’s considered as
the King of Bulbs.
Special thanks to tour guide Barak Sansal.
Activity
Bring your classroom into full bloom by creating a field of “paper cup” tulips to add to
the various other Turkish designs and educational aids your students have prepared.
Materials: Dixie-style paper cups, drinking straws, green construction paper,
assorted colors of tempra paint, brushes, scissors, glue, clay (optional).
Allow each of your students to create one or more tulips for your classroom’s Turkish
display. Assist students in cutting 6 to 8 slits down the side of their paper cup. Allow
them to paint their “tulip” cup any color of their choosing using the tempra paint.
Once the cups are dry, punch a small hole in the bottom center of the cup. Push a
drinking straw through the hole about one inch. Secure the straw by applying a small
amount of white glue. Allow the glue to dry. Use the pattern to the right to cut out
several tulip leaves out of green construction paper. Attach the “leaves” to the straw
“stem” using white glue. Allow the glue to dry thoroughly.
If you choose, use a small ball of clay as a base for the tulip, pushing the bottom of the
stem into the clay to assist it in standing. Display all of the colorful tulips in your classroom.