While global in its reach, the novel Celebration primarily revolves around a central theme, with social issues playing a secondary, yet poignant role. These societal dilemmas highlight the relentless advance of modernity, infringing upon the ancient customs and lifestyles in regions like Turkey and Africa. A vivid example unfolds in the secluded village of the Yezidi, a Kurdish tribe nestled in eastern Turkey, where the village is demolished to pave the way for a new highway. Similar acts of disruption ripple across the land as a band of gun-running mercenaries traverses eastern Africa, en route to furnish arms to Sudanese insurgents. Alarmingly, this narrative reveals that warfare is often deemed the most effective method for ushering traditional societies into the modern era.

The novel intricately weaves the tales of its central figures, who emerge as refined survivors from the tumult of cultural upheavals. They are individuals forged by harrowing ordeals, having endured the loss of loved ones and other unspeakable tragedies. These characters have brushed perilously close to death's icy grip. Despite carrying the scars of their past, they remain far from being mere lost souls.

One of the novel's profound themes is the transformation of these individuals; they have cultivated an acute awareness and a profound sensitivity to the essence of existence. As articulated in the novel's epigraph, they have navigated beyond the river Styx, their vision sharpened and their perceptions deepened. Consequently, they find reasons to celebrate life, even when surrounded by its chaos and ruin.