Istanbul is one of the world’s greatest metropolises. This one-day event in East London at the end of September is a chance to indulge in the city’s delicious street foods and immerse yourself in its fantastic music culture. Brought to you by Mehmet Ali Alabora, Akin Olgun and Tan Morgul (the trio behind the UK’s […]
An annual free festival in Trafalgar Square for London’s large Muslim community to celebrate the end of Ramazan/ Ramadan saw Turks participate fully for the first time this year. The weather was for the most part warm and rain-free for Eid in the Square, helping to attract over 25,000 through the course of the day. […]
If you’ve seen the Netflix series The Club, set in a 1950s music club in Istanbul’s vibrant Beyoğlu district, you will already have a good idea about the city’s historically cosmopolitan and multi-ethnic character. Later this month Baha Yetkin, a leading oud player from Turkey, and his all-star group of musicians from Turkey, Greece and […]
The Mayor of London’s annual mega Eid al-Fitr (Ramazan Bayramı) festival returns with a huge extravaganza at Trafalgar Square this Saturday, 7 May. Now in its 17th year, Eid in in the Square showcases the very best of Islamic inspired art, music, and comedy on the main stage, alongside a feast of food stalls from across […]
Hura Nights is back this Thursday, 29 July, with a fabulous line-up: musical chanteuse and host Djanan Turan is joined by special guests oud virtuoso Baha Yetkin and Rebetiko star Çiğdem Aslan for a stunning night of Turkish and Greek music. Launched four years ago in Covent Garden, this unique live music club celebrates the […]
Transport yourself back to the Ottoman Royal Court, as Baha Yetkin and Alexandros Koustas, experts in traditional Ottoman Court music, give a warm recital dedicated to the Turkish makam at Kensington’s renowned Leighton House Museum. The makam, which is the system of rules governing the melody, can be commonly heard in Turkish folk and […]
Whether for personal or professional reasons, there is so much to be fascinated with Turkey’s unique culture. For those wishing to explore up close, the opportunity to learn is closer than you think. Based in Maple Street, Fitzrovia in Central London, the Yunus Emre Institute (Turkey’s equivalent of the British Council) runs a host of […]
Groups performing Turkish classical music (aka fasıl) in Britain are few and far between. One of the best is five-piece outfit Fasl-i Keyf, whose name means ‘fasıl delight’. If you’re in London and fancy easing yourself into the festive season a la Turkish style, they are performing in Stoke Newington, North London, on Saturday night. […]
A concert not to be missed performed by two master musicians specialising in the finest traditions of Ottoman classical music. Highly acclaimed Cypriot violinist Michalis Kouloumis shares the stage with distinguished Turkish oud player Baha Yetkin. Together they present a selection of early modern music that was popular in the Ottoman court. The aesthetics […]
For some, the oud is the “king of instruments”. Made of wood, this short-neck, pear-shaped stringed instrument is similar to a lute. Its origins date back to the earliest Arab civilisations with the instrument’s name derived from the Arabic for ‘the wood’ [al-oud]. Its popularity quickly spread and today, the oud forms a core part […]
