Istanbul Sacrée

Spiritual kaleidoscope of Istanbul

The fascinating entrance to the Orient is a captivating melting pot of people and cultures. Fragments of this kaleidoscope are presented in Istanbul Sacrée, which features in the Turkey Now! festival 2010. You can see and hear the spiritual and religious music of the Greek, Armenian, Jewish and Islamic communities. The music that is still performed in churches, synagogues and mosques is a centuries-old tradition. Although these types of music differ in many ways, they share many unexpected elements. It is strange to recognize Islamic hymns in music from the Synagogue and surprising to hear Gregorian sounds in Islamic music, evidence of a shared Ottoman past. It emphasises the colourful and intricately interconnected society of Ottoman Istanbul. A renowned ensemble from Istanbul, featuring eighteen musicians and singers, brings the colourful music of Istanbul Sacrée to the stage during Turkey Now! 2010. The artistic direction is in the hands of renowned brothers Fahrettin and Feruh Yarkin who have dazzled during previous breakthrough Kulsan programs, and the instrumental accompaniment is provided by their Yarkin Ritm Ensemble.