
This year talented musicians from different cities of Turkey have united to perform at VI International Festival of Oriental Art and Music “RUMI FEST”. The group name is Meydan Musiki. All of them are well-known in their homeland for their achievements and research in the field of music. Their performance is a magnificent example of authentic ancient melodies. In the first part of the concert, which will take place on 27 September at VEF Culture Palace, the musicians will play classical Turkish music of the Ottoman Empire, and the Mevlevi music. In the second part the audience will see the Big Sema Ceremony, which roots back into centuries, to the time when the Mevlevi order was founded in Konya.
Musicians and singers of Meydan Musiki:
Harun Korkmaz – vocal
Ahmet Cavit Altinkaynak – ney
Engin Baykal – kudum and bendir
Yusuf İhsan Tökel – tanbur
Let’s go a little deeper into the history and touch the issue of musical instruments, which have been played by the Mevlevi members since ancient times during their praying sessions and Sema ceremonies.
The Sufi ceremony Sema includes whirling, playing musical instruments, singing, recitation of prayers, wearing symbolic garments. Considerable attention in the ceremony is attached to music and used musical instruments, filled with deep sacral meaning.