ANATOLIAN MUSIC TO ECHO IN THE ARMENIAN CAPITAL

Hurriyet
Dec 6 2008
Turkey

ISTANBUL – Turkey will send a message of peace and friendship to the
Armenian capital of Yerevan through the common traditions of melody
and dance. Armenia will welcome its first Turkish soloist in the form
of violin virtuoso Cihat AÅ~_kın

The Armenian capital of Yerevan is preparing to host a soloist from
Turkey for the first time in the history of the Turkish Republic.

This convergence between the people of the two nations is necessary
before diplomatic dialogue between governments can occur, political
scientists consistently emphasize. People are trying to understand
and comprehend "the other Turk" and "the other Armenian" socially
and culturally.

In light of these developments, Armenian violin virtuoso Edward
Tatevosian gave a recital at the Macka Campus of Istanbul Technical
University, or Ä°TU, last week. Tatevosian also gave a master class
to the students of Ä°TU. As an answer to the visit of Tatevosian,
violin virtuoso Cihat AÅ~_kın, who has a career that features many
national and international awards, will meet Armenian music lovers
in Yerevan on Dec. 10 at the Opera and Ballet Hall, one of the most
prestigious concert halls in the city.

Following AÅ~_kın’s recital, Yerevan will host the band KardeÅ~_
Turkuler and the 70-member chorus of Sayat Nova, formed by the
Armenians of Istanbul. A message of peace and friendship between both
nations will be sent from Turkey to Armenia through song during these
concerts, which will begin Dec. 10 and last until Dec. 14.

There was not a demand for football; but there is a high demand for
concerts According to information provided by officials, the concerts
next week are in high demand compared to the football match played
between the national teams of the two countries Sept. 6.

Prior to the concert, the Hurriyet Daily News & Economic Review spoke
with Cihan AÅ~_kın, Fehmiye Celik and Beyza GumuÅ~_ from KardeÅ~_
Turkuler and KayuÅ~_ Calıkman, spokesperson for Sayat Nova Chorus.

AÅ~_kın spoke about tension between Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia
and said he had taken to the stage in many countries and Armenia would
be no different to the others. He added, "I am an artist. I go to
Armenia as I would go to any country in the world. There is nothing
strange here. I have my political views but I am free of prejudice."

AÅ~_kın, who has featured works by Azerbaijani and Armenian
composers on many CD’s he has released, spoke about the concert for
peace. "Art is to be practiced in an atmosphere of peace. I believe
bringing artists of the three peoples together would be forcing it,
when historic facts like the Hocalı slaughter and the matter of
Nagorno-Karabakh still exist."

AÅ~_kın said he has a surprise waiting for the Armenian art lovers
at the recital. AÅ~_kın avoided giving away too much, but said,
"I can say that I will play two surprise Armenian songs at the
recital. It is a pity that Tatevosian did not play any Turkish songs
at his recital in Istanbul." Pianist Gulden Testen will accompany
AÅ~_kın at the recital. The recital will include works from Adnan
Saygun, one of the famous "Turkish five," and other works from western
classical composers.

The Sayat Nove chorus will give a concert with KardeÅ~_ Turkuler
the night after AÅ~_kın’s recital. KayuÅ~_ Calıkman said, "We
are going to Armenia with KardeÅ~_ Turkuler to follow the will of
Hrant Dink. Together, we will send a message of peace and friendship
through song."

As to whether the Armenians of Istanbul can act as a bridge between
Turkey and Armenia within the process of dialogue, Calıkman said,
"It is a hard mission for a community of 40,000 to 50,000 people
that is decreasing in number each day. Moreover, the community has
its own problems. But it is not impossible."

Music and dance, a shared Anatolian tradition Fehmiye Celik from
KardeÅ~_ Turkuler said the biggest problem between Turks and Armenians
was being unable to speak. "There are still hopes for every one of
us, if we can speak without fear. The Anatolian geography includes
not only Turkish but Armenian, Romaic and Kurdish melodies; even if
you shut your ears and do not want to hear them, you will. Anatolia
is a polyphonic melody." KardeÅ~_ Turkuler will play 25 songs with
the Sayat Nova chorus and perform other dance and music shows.

Beyza GumuÅ~_ from KardeÅ~_ Turkuler said, "Music and dance are the
commonality of the people living at the same place. We hope to make
our people feel this commonality through our melodies and our dance."

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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress