ÂŞIKS, ABDALS AND DENGBÊJS TAKE THE STAGE AT UNESCO CITIES OF MUSIC ANNUAL MEETING IN ŞANLIURFA

“Traditional musical performances by Âşıks from Kısas, Abdals from Kırşehir, and Dengbêj artists captivated international delegates at the UNESCO Cities of Music Annual Meeting in Şanlıurfa, celebrating the rich musical heritage of Anatolia.”

Şanlıurfa continues to welcome music representatives from around the world as part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) Cities of Music Annual Meeting, hosted by Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality.

A series of mini-concerts and musical presentations held at the Hilton Hotel brought together diverse musical traditions, offering international delegates an unforgettable cultural experience.

 

 

The event was attended by Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar, Mayor of Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality; Ali Murat Bucak, Mayor of Siverek; Serhat Dicle İnan, Mayor of

 Viranşehir; Aygül Kapıkayalı, Mayor of Bozova; Serhan Paydaş, Mayor of Hilvan; Ayten Kaya, Mayor of Suruç; and Jacob Wagner, Coordinator of UNESCO Cities of

 Music (UCOM), alongside municipal council members and representatives from approximately 30 countries across Asia, Europe, the Americas, and Africa.

 

A CELEBRATION OF MUSICAL HERITAGE: FROM ÂŞIKS TO DENGBÊJS

 

Held under the theme “Tracing the Roots of Music: From the Zero Point of History to the Modern World,” the annual meeting provided a platform for showcasing

 the distinctive musical traditions of different regions.

The program featured captivating performances by Âşık Sefai and Âşık Dertli Divani, representing the longstanding Âşık minstrel tradition of Kısas, as well as a musical

 presentation by the Abdals of Kırşehir, known for their deeply rooted folk music heritage.

 

 

The audience also enjoyed traditional Dengbêj performances by Mahmut Aydoğdu and İsmail Devebakan, highlighting the region's rich tradition of oral storytelling

 through music.

These performances, reflecting Anatolia's centuries-old musical heritage, were warmly received by international delegates and met with enthusiastic applause.

Bringing together representatives from different cultural backgrounds through the universal language of music, the UNESCO Cities of Music Annual Meeting continues to

 strengthen international cultural dialogue and cooperation.

 

 

The event also provides an important opportunity to introduce Şanlıurfa's millennia-old musical heritage to a global audience, further reinforcing the city's identity as a UNESCO City of Music and its growing role in the international cultural landscape.