Turkish folk poets came together with Syrians as part of the cultural activities of Yunus Emre Institute (YEI) in Azaz district, in northern Syria.

Azaz Yunus Emre Institute held the “Our Voice: Ashiks Concert” on 5 January 2022 in Azaz, as a part of the Institute’s 2022 opening program.

As of 5 January, Azaz Yunus Emre Institute greeted the new year, new hopes, brotherhood, a happy future, and cultural and artistic activities that will be held in the region throughout the year with the participation of art lovers from all over the Syrian Secure Area and folk poets, the masters of instruments and lyrics.

OZAN NİHAT AND ÂŞIK KAPTANÎ MESMERIZED THE GUESTS WITH THEIR ART

Opening a Turkish course for gifted students in Azaz during the day, Yunus Emre Institute made the folk poets show their skills at the "ashiks contest" organized in the conference hall for the people of the region.

Dr. Doğan Kaya, Ozan Nihat and Âşık Kaptanî attended the program and mesmerized the guests.  After giving information about ashik literature, Kaya, who is one of the forthcoming researchers of Turkish Folk Literature, said: "I congratulate Yunus Emre Institute for their activities around the world to of promote Turkish culture and popularize Turkish. We are pleased to take part in this service today in Azaz.”

Kilis Deputy Governor Ömer Yılmaz, after expressing his pleasure to be together with the poets in Azaz, said in his opening speech: “Yunus Emre Institute carries out many activities in the Secure Area, from music to different branches of art, to different age groups in Turkish language teaching. These activities will enable cultural interaction.”

“WE BROUGHT THE ASHIK TRADITION TO AZAZ”

After touching on the importance of ashik tradition in Turkish culture, Yunus Emre Institute President Prof. Şeref Ateş remarked: “Ashik culture perseveres in Anatolia and various parts of the Turkish world. Today, we brought it to Azaz.   As the State of the Republic of Turkey, we are working with all our means for the establishment of happiness and peace in these lands. In 2022, we will carry out many activities not only in Azaz, but also in Afrin and Al-Bab. We are happy to be able to embrace the Secure Area with Azaz Radio's Turkish Broadcasting Service, which broadcast its first program today."

The people of the area cheered for the duets and folk songs of the Turkish poets with their applause. The program ended with the presentation of gifts after the ashiks’ contest, which is an ancient tradition in Turkish folk literature.