The events began on Dec. 7 and will continue through Şeb-i Arus (the Night of Union), which is held annually on Dec. 17. The commemorations traditionally draw strong domestic and international attendance, and many of the events have been fully booked for months. The season of Mevlana kicked off on Monday with a walk from Konya’s Zafer Square to the Konya Governor’s Office, accompanied by the İstanbul Historical Turkish Music Society Mehteran Division and the Konya Turkish Tasawwuf Music Society.Konya Governor Aydın Nezih Doğan, Konya Mayor Tahir Akyürek, parliamentary deputies Mustafa Kabakcı, Ayşe Türkmenoğlu and Orhan Erdem, and Esin Çelebi Bayru -- a 22nd generation descendent of Rumi -- took their places amongst the many people who joined the walk, which culminated in a brief mehter (traditional Ottoman janissary band) performance in front of the governor’s office.
Following the performance, the crowd continued to walk to the Mevlana Museum, accompanied by semazens (whirling dervishes) and members of the mehter. A prayer was led by Mustafa Holat, a member of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism’s Turkish Tasawwuf Music Choir, in front of the museum, where Mevlana’s tomb is also located.
The events to kick off the Mevlana commemoration season ended in a sema performance by a group of children. The run-up to Dec. 17 will include more musical, sema and other performances. Speaking on Monday, Governor Doğan recalled that Mevlana’s death was often mentioned as his wedding night as it marked his return to his Lord. He said Mevlana’s Islamic messages of love and tolerance have stood the test of time and have never failed to captivate contemporary audiences, despite the passing of centuries. Doğan also noted that all the preparations for this year’s Mevlana season have been completed and that they expect an enthusiastic attendance.
