On the 700th anniversary of Yunus Emre’s death, on the occasion of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey naming 2021 the Year of Yunus Emre and Turkish Language, “Yunus’ Voice Concert” was organized. 

Taking place in Dakar on 9 December 2021, the concert was organized with the joint efforts of Dakar Yunus Emre Institute and the Republic of Turkey Embassy to Dakar and attracted great attention from art lovers. 

700 PARTICIPANTS

The program started with speeches by Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to Dakar Prof. Ahmet Kavas and Dakar Yunus Emre Institute Director Merve Işık Elsıkma on Yunus Emre, great Turkish philosopher, sufi and poet and Turkish Sufi Music. It continued with a unique concert by Istanbul Sufi Music Chorus.  Held in Théatre National Daniel Sorano, one of the most prestigious halls in Senegal, the concert featured a wide selection of Yunus Emre’s hymns.  A sama ceremony was performed in a part of the concert, where rare works of Turkish classical music were performed. 

Approximately 700 guests attended the concert, which was held with the participation of foreign state mission representatives, government representatives, members of parliament, commanders and Senegalese people interested in Turkish culture.