Şehribanu TuranYunus Emre Institute proudly took part in the Bradford Literature Festival 2025, one of the UK’s most dynamic cultural events. Spanning over ten days and featuring more than 500 events, this year’s festival welcomed an impressive line-up of literary icons, public intellectuals, and performers.
Representing the richness of Turkish culture, Yunus Emre Institute offered a programme filled with art, philosophy, heritage, and spiritual performance. From historical insight to traditional craftsmanship and transcendent rituals, the Institute captivated audiences with its depth and diversity.
Cultural Highlights from Yunus Emre Institute
One of the most anticipated and visually captivating performances of the festival took place during its second weekend: the Whirling Dervishes – Sema Ceremony, presented on Saturday evening by the Konya Metropolitan Municipality Turkish Sufi Music and Sema Ensemble. Held at the University of Bradford’s Great Hall, the performance offered audiences in the UK a rare opportunity to witness the Mevlevi Sema ritual in its traditional and authentic form.
Rooted in the spiritual teachings of Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, the ceremony fused hauntingly beautiful Sufi music with the graceful, meditative turning of the dervishes—symbolizing the soul’s journey toward divine unity. The performance was not only a visual and musical spectacle, but also a profound spiritual experience that moved many in the audience.
Adding further significance to the evening was the presence of distinguished guests, including MP Imran Hussain, Türkiye’s Manchester Consul General Mr. Onur Sayın, Esin Çelebi—the 22nd-generation descendant of Rumi— and Bradford Literature Festival Director Syima Aslam. Their attendance highlighted the enduring global relevance of Rumi’s message and the deep cultural resonance of Turkish spiritual traditions. The event was widely praised and will be remembered as one of the defining highlights of Bradford Literature Festival 2025.
Earlier that day, Dr. Maya Petrovic, Yunus Emre Lecturer at Trinity College Dublin, joined cultural historian Saeed Khan from Wayne State University in Detroit for a talk at Bradford City Hall titled “Crimea: Conflict, Conquest, and Consequence.” The discussion explored the historical legacy of the Crimean War and its parallels with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A lively Q&A session followed, reflecting the audience’s strong interest in drawing connections between past and present through critical historical analysis.
Meanwhile, artist Dilara Karaağaç led a Paper Marbling Workshop in the Bright Building, where participants explored the centuries-old art of ebru and created striking marbled patterns. One of the resulting designs will feature on the cover of an upcoming Penguin book—an exciting example of how tradition can find new life in contemporary media.
At 4PM, Professor Dr. Bilal Kuşpınar gave a lecture on the philosophical and ethical insights of Mevlana Rumi. The talk, held in the Small Hall, drew a wide audience eager to reflect on Rumi’s enduring wisdom and universal call to love, unity, and self-transcendence.
On Sunday, July 6th, the Institute continued its hands-on workshops. Dilara Karaağaç returned with Bound in Beauty, focusing on sacred aesthetics and Islamic design principles. Later in the day, Ayşe Kaya introduced participants to the refined art of traditional Book Binding, preserving both material heritage and craft techniques passed through generations.
The festival took place between 27 June and 6 July, and during its first week on Saturday 28 June, a charming performance of the traditional Karagöz and Hacivat shadow play captivated audiences. Master puppeteer Mengü Türk brought these beloved folk characters to life in front of a full house, blending humour, satire, and cultural wisdom in a way that delighted both children and adults. The performance not only showcased Turkey’s rich theatrical heritage but also introduced this classical Ottoman art form to new international audiences.
A Cultural Impact
The Institute’s events were all sold out, affirming the growing public appreciation for Turkish culture, arts, and spirituality. The presence of high-profile guests, as well as the enthusiastic response from the public, highlighted the success of Yunus Emre Institute’s contribution to this year’s festival.
From the spiritual depth of the Sema ceremony to the intricate elegance of ebru art, from thought-provoking lectures to time-honoured folk theatre, Yunus Emre Institute’s presence at Bradford Literature Festival 2025 offered a rich and multifaceted portrait of Türkiye’s living cultural heritage. The Institute not only engaged diverse audiences, but also fostered meaningful cross-cultural dialogue—firmly establishing its place on the international cultural stage.
