Aylyak is a serious business there

Plovdiv has created and maintained its own philosophy for over 6,000 years, incorporating Epicureanism and other key philosophical movements. Some refer to it as a way of life, while others regard it as a serious business. Despite its vast history, it has only been moulded and developed in the last ten to fifteen years. Aylyak's philosophy is a distinct Plovdiv state of mind. The term is derived from the Turkish word 'aylak', which means idle. To be aylyak is to be utterly calm, undisturbed by external demands, and open to the pleasures of life. Aylyak isn't just a fleeting emotion for Plovdivians; it's a way of life. A Tuesday morning coffee break, for example, is not uncommon to evolve into a wine-fueled lunch that consumes the remainder of the day.

Aylyak may be experienced in Kapana with a craft beer or wine and a bite to eat, or in the recently opened Aylyakria with long calm afternoon chats with your friends. Play dice in the Old Town, hike to Nebet Tepe and watch the world go by below, attend a summer movie, or simply read a book and relax in the afternoon sun. When told that it's a weekday, the real Plovdivian will merely shrug and smile, saying, "I'm feeling aylyak today". Work is viewed as a means to an end rather than a value in and of itself, and residents view life as something to be enjoyed as much as possible. This feeds into the atmosphere of the city, and its perhaps why so many visitors feel more relaxed than usual as they wander through its streets.