Hıdırellez or St. George Day is also celebrated under the name Dita Verës (Summer Day) in Albania which was originated by the pagan cult in the city of Elbasan - the so-called Zana e Çermenikës- the goddess of forest and hunting.
In 2010, Şimşek took the "Başpehlivan" title of the Hıdırellez Festival held in Sakarlı village of Terme in Samsun.