Yunus Emre InstituteYunus Emre Enstitüsü – London continues its mission to share the rich musical heritage of Istanbul with new audiences, extending its enchanting ‘Spirit of Istanbul’ concert series to Scotland and Ireland following successful performances in London and Manchester.
Last week, the streets of London and Manchester resonated with the harmonious blend of qanun, oud, and percussion, bringing the vibrant essence of Istanbul’s musical traditions to enthusiastic audiences. This past week, the cultural journey continued with captivating performances at Glasgow University Union on May 22, 2024, and Trinity College Dublin on May 24, 2024.
The concerts featured Türkiye’s foremost musical virtuosos: Göksel Baktagir on qanun, Yurdal Tokcan on oud, and Bülent Elmas on percussion. Their repertoire included compositions by Göksel Baktagir and Yurdal Tokcan, alongside timeless works from composers such as Abdülkâdir Merâgî, Sultan Selim III, and Tanbûri Cemil Bey. In a special highlight of the Dublin performance, the artists delighted the audience by performing traditional Irish music with Turkish instruments.
In Glasgow, Türkiye’s Acting Consul General in Edinburgh, Demet Kayaoğlu, addressed the audience with a brief speech. In Dublin, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Ireland, Mehmet Hakan Olcay, commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Türkiye, adding a poignant note to the evening’s celebration.
Organized as part of the centenary celebrations of the Republic of Türkiye, the ‘Spirit of Istanbul’ concerts were meticulously arranged under the auspices of Yunus Emre Institute London, in collaboration with the Turkish Intercultural Society in Scotland (TISS) and Trinity College Dublin. The events were generously supported by Turkish Airlines, ensuring a night of magical and unique musical experiences. 
The Glasgow and Dublin performances attracted large crowds, including diplomats, community leaders, merchants, and artists from various parts of the UK and Ireland. Attendees from cities such as Edinburgh, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Leicester, and Stockport gathered to enjoy these extraordinary musical evenings.
The ‘Spirit of Istanbul’ concerts have been acclaimed for providing music lovers with a spectacular and unique night, celebrating the deep and rich musical heritage of Istanbul. The series continues to foster cultural exchange and bring communities together through the universal language of music.