Yunus Emre Institute London hosted an unforgettable evening in Mary’s Islington on March 25, 2024, hosting hundreds of guests who wanted to deeply feel the spirituality of Ramadan through the universal language of music.

The concert was not just a performance, it was a cultural gathering celebrating the essence of Ramadan through melodies that have echoed all over Türkiye for centuries.

A quartet of master musicians who brought the rich and diverse heritage of Anatolian music to life took part in the event. Baha Yetkin added colors from Anatolia with his mastery of the oud and his vocals, Serdar Yılmaz with his masterful performance of the qanun, Umut Ekiz with his mastery of the violin and saz, and Muammer Sağlam's rhythmic skill in various percussion instruments.

Hymns Reflecting the Spirituality of Ramadan

In the first part of the concert, which consisted of two parts, hymns reflecting the deep spirituality of the month of Ramadan were sung. In the second part, there was a lively celebration with folk songs that enlivened everyone's soul. The songs included "Salât-ı Ümmiyye", a prayer-like tribute to the Prophet Muhammad, and the emotional "I Walk Burning" (Ben Yürürüm Yane Yane), which talks about spiritual love and longing. The hymn "We Are Gone from the World"(Biz Dünyadan Gider Olduk) reflected the separation from worldly life and resonated deeply with the listeners.

As the night progressed, the music evoked a sense of nostalgia, as if taking the listeners to a night in Türkiye with its timeless traditions and cultural richness. A common atmosphere of joy and unity surrounds the concert, with the audience invited to sing along to songs and folk songs such as "While Going to Üsküdar” (Üsküdara Gideriken) and "Don’t Touch to My Sorrowfoul and Mournfull Heath” (Değmen Benim Gamlı Yaslı Gönlüme).

The Interpretation of Hymns Fascinated the Audience

The rendition of the hymn "Let Lovers Burn with Your Love, O Messenger of Allah"(Aşkın İle Aşıklar Yansın Yâ Resûlallah), which left its mark on the night, impressed the audience greatly. The touching melody of the "Yalan Dünya" performance created emotional moments among the audience and received a standing ovation for several minutes. The night ended with "Ayva Çiçek Açmış” (Quince in Bloom), which reflected the hopeful essence of spring and the festive spirit of Ramadan, bringing smiles and feelings of joy.

The rendition of the hymn "Let Lovers Burn with Your Love, O Messenger of Allah", which left its mark on the night, impressed the audience greatly. The touching melody of the "Yalan Dünya" performance created emotional moments among the audience and received a standing ovation for several minutes. The night ended with "Quince in Bloom", which reflected the hopeful essence of spring and the festive spirit of Ramadan, bringing smiles and feelings of joy.

The event was described by participants as an unforgettable event where music transcends languages and cultures, bringing everyone together in celebration of life's most precious moments. The echoes of the night's melodies continued long after the concert ended, a testament to the enduring power of Anatolian music.