Sacred musics of the Sufi Dervishes of Istanbul

The Mevlevi Order –also known as the whirling dervishes– holds a prominent position in the tradition of Sunni Islamic mysticism. Their presence in the spiritual life, cultural expression and musical creation and practice of 19th-century Ottoman Constantinople was of decisive importance. Yet beyond the use of music, a crucial element in the ritual of Sufi dervishes is dance (whirling), a practice with a special spiritual and symbolic content aiming at inducing mystical ecstasy and leading to union with the Divine.

The concert will feature instrumental and vocal compositions from the rich music culture of the mystical Mevlevi order of dervishes of Istanbul. More specifically, it includes instrumental (peşrev) and vocal (selam) parts from the ayin mystical ceremony, as well as instrumental (taksim) and vocal (kâside) improvisations, which play a vital role in this sacred ritual.

The programme also comprises ilâhi hymns that are exceptionally popular not only among the Mevlevi, but also in the overall Islamic musical environment of Istanbul.

Fethiye Mosque (Roman Agora)

The Muslim house of worship known as Fethiye Mosque, “The Conqueror’s Mosque”, is one of the most important monuments of the Ottoman era in Athens. It stands at the junction of Pelopidas and Panos Streets inside the Roman Agora. According to the prevailing view, it was built in the second half of the 17th century at a place where there used to be a Christian church and earlier than that, a mosque. It was also known as “the mosque of Staropazaro” because it stood within the area where the cereal bazaar was held. After the Greek War of Independence of 1821 and the formation of the modern Greek state, the Fethiye Mosque was used for various purposes. It was restored in 2015 and today it is both a monument open to the public and a venue that hosts various cultural events.

First Sacred Music Festival info leaflet available to read and download here