Music Across Borders: Türkiye and Its Cultural Neighbours | A Listening Club

Join the first session of Music Across Borders, a Listening Club series exploring the musical connections between Türkiye and its cultural neighbours. Moderated by musicologist and pianist Prof. Dr Mine Doğantan-Dack, this opening session focuses on shared musical traditions of the Balkans and Türkiye’s Trakya region.

In this opening session, The Balkans, participants will explore shared myths, folk narratives, and musical traditions spanning the Northern Balkans and Türkiye’s Trakya region. The session will introduce the emotional world of Sevdalinka—often described as the “Balkan Blues”—alongside selected Turkish and Balkan musicians, through a mix of historical recordings and contemporary interpretations.

Guided by Prof. Dr Mine Doğantan-Dack, the session is based on close listening and reflection, supported by visual materials such as maps, videos, and instrument guides. Participants are invited to share impressions and engage with music as a living cultural heritage that moves across borders.

Session I — The Balkans
Explore the first week’s curated listening list and playlist here:

No musical training required – open to all music lovers and curious listeners.

This session is part of a six-session Listening Club series exploring musical cultures across the Balkans, the Levant, the Aegean, Persia, the Turkic world, and the Ottoman musical sphere. For more info please click here!