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ANKARA: Anatolian Music To Echo In The Armenian Capital

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  • ANKARA: Anatolian Music To Echo In The Armenian Capital

    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."

    --Boundary_(ID_5DI1YKp5QxF44PrsET6Cl A)--

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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