AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING OF SUFI MUSIC AND WHIRLING DERVISHES IN ŞANLIURFA

“As part of the UNESCO Cities of Music Annual Meeting, Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality brought together its Sufi Music Choir and the whirling dervishes of the Mevlana Külliyesi Foundation for a captivating performance celebrating the city's rich spiritual and musical heritage.”

Şanlıurfa, a UNESCO City of Music renowned for its ancient history and deeply rooted cultural traditions, hosted an extraordinary evening of Sufi music and the traditional Sema ceremony as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) Cities of Music Annual Meeting.

 

Organized by Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality, the event brought together local and international guests for a unique cultural experience, combining the spiritual melodies of Sufi music with the graceful movements of whirling dervishes.

Held at the Mevlana Celaleddin Rumi Mosque and Complex, the program offered participants an opportunity to experience one of Anatolia's most distinctive spiritual and artistic traditions.

The event was attended by Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar, Mayor of Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality; Jacob Wagner, Coordinator of UNESCO Cities of Music (UCOM); Mithat Can Kutluca, Secretary-General of Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality, along with representatives of UNESCO Cities of Music and numerous invited guests.

 

A HARMONIOUS CELEBRATION OF SUFI MUSIC AND THE SEMA TRADITION

The evening featured a moving performance by the Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality Sufi Music Choir, whose traditional compositions created a deeply spiritual and peaceful atmosphere.

The choir's performance was accompanied by the whirling dervishes of the Mevlana Külliyesi Foundation, who presented the centuries-old Sema ceremony, a spiritual practice closely associated with the teachings of the renowned Sufi poet and philosopher Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi.

 

 

 

 

Through their graceful, synchronized movements, the dervishes offered an artistic and spiritual expression of devotion, harmony, and the human search for inner peace.

The combination of traditional Sufi melodies and the symbolic movements of the Sema ceremony captivated the audience, creating an atmosphere of reflection and cultural appreciation.

International delegates followed the performance with great interest, gaining firsthand insight into a tradition that has occupied an important place in Anatolia's spiritual and cultural life for centuries.

 

 

 

BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN CULTURES THROUGH MUSIC

 

Beyond its artistic significance, the event highlighted the universal power of music to connect people from different cultural backgrounds.

Bringing together UNESCO Cities of Music representatives and local participants, the performance demonstrated how traditional music and cultural practices can foster mutual understanding, intercultural dialogue, and respect for shared human values.

The Sema ceremony, accompanied by the distinctive sounds of Sufi music, offered international visitors a deeper appreciation of the spiritual dimensions of Anatolia's musical heritage.

The program also reflected the broader vision of the UNESCO Cities of Music Annual Meeting, emphasizing the importance of preserving traditional cultural expressions while introducing them to new audiences around the world.

 

ŞANLIURFA'S MUSICAL HERITAGE REACHES AN INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCE

Recognized as a UNESCO City of Music, Şanlıurfa continues to showcase its diverse musical traditions and cultural identity through international events and artistic collaborations.

With a history stretching back thousands of years, the city is home to a remarkable variety of musical expressions, ranging from traditional folk music and oral storytelling to sacred and spiritual musical practices.

 

 

The Sufi music and whirling dervish performance provided another opportunity to introduce this cultural richness to international delegates attending the annual meeting.

Through such events, Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality aims to strengthen cultural exchange, promote the preservation of traditional arts, and enhance the city's visibility within the global UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

The evening concluded with the peaceful melodies of Sufi music and the mesmerizing movements of the whirling dervishes, leaving a lasting impression on participants and offering a memorable celebration of Şanlıurfa's spiritual and artistic heritage.