Turkish concert to promote love, unity

Islamabad : The Presidency of the Republic of Turkey will organise a concert with the slogan 'From 7 hills to 7 continents' on the April 23 National Sovereignty and Children's Day.

To be broadcast on the YouTube channel of Turkey's Directorate of Communications, the concert will give the world a call for love and unity from the skies of Istanbul, said a statement issued by the Turkish Embassy here.

In the concert, which will start with Yunus Emre's words, “The world is my true ration, and its people are my nation”, a message of solidarity will be given to the whole world with the performances of our valuable artists at seven different locations in Istanbul during this tough period due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to providing medical supplies to many countries battling the pandemic, the Presidency will emphasize the awareness of unity and integrity by bringing hearts together in Istanbul, where the continents meet.

Pianist dil Biret, one of the world's leading performers of the Ninth Symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven's piano compositions made by Franz Liszt, will perform this immortal work of art, also known as the ‘Symphony of Humanity’, in the Bosporus.

Harpist irin Pancarolu and vocal artist Bora Uymaz will perform Yunus Emre’s cantus ‘Ben Yürürem Yane Yane’ at the Maiden’s Tower.

Ney performer Yavuz Akal n will perform ‘Segah Pesrev’ (Yusuf Pasha) at Hagia Sophia, lute player Murat Badatl will perform ‘Kürdilihicazkar Longa’ (Kemani Sebuh) at Topkap Palace, flute artist Elif Yurdakul Baykurt will perform ‘Syrinx’ (Claude Debussy) at Galata Tower, ‘tanbur’ player Özer Özel and kemancha player Asl han Özel will perform ‘Nihavend Saz Semai’ (Mesut Cemil Bey) at Dolmabahçe Palace and the ‘qanun’ player Serkan Mesut Halili will perform ‘ehnaz Longa’ (Santuri Ethem Bey) at Pierre Loti Hill.

During the concert, which will be held with wonderful scenes of Istanbul in the background, works from both Classical Turkish Music and Classical Western Music will be performed, while the music will be accompanied by messages of love and unity belonging to important thinkers of the Eastern and Western world.