Rumi Commemoration Events Begin in Konya

The 752nd International Commemoration of Rumi’s Passing has begun this year under the theme “Time for Serenity.”

During the daytime program, Konya Governor İbrahim Akın, Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Serdar Çam, Konya Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Mayor Mustafa Uzbaş, AK Party Konya Provincial Chairman Fatih Özgökçen, Mevlana’s 22nd-generation descendant Esin Çelebi Bayru, district mayors from the central districts, and local residents gathered at the Tomb of Shams-i Tabrizi. Following a recitation of the Qur’an, a prayer ceremony was held.

The protocol members and residents then took part in the “Time for Serenity” walk from Mevlana Street to the Mevlana Museum.

At the Mevlana Museum, following a recitation of the Qur’an at the sarcophagus of Hazrat Rumi, the traditional Mevlevi Gülbang Prayer was performed.

In the evening program, the first sema ceremony was performed at the Metropolitan Municipality’s Mevlana Cultural Center.

Before the ceremony, Ömer Faruk Belviranlı, Director General of Fine Arts at the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, stated that the Ministry had prepared numerous events for Rumi’s admirers throughout the 11-day period.

THE EVENTS WILL CONTINUE UNTIL 17 DECEMBER

As part of the ceremonies marking the 752nd anniversary of the passing of Rumi, events will be held from 7 to 17 December. Each evening, artist Ahmet Özhan will give a concert of devotional music in the Sema Hall of the Mevlana Cultural Center.

Throughout the commemoration period, the Mevlevi Ayin-i Şerif will be performed every night.

Panels, exhibitions, talks, workshops, and concerts will take place at Mevlana Square, the Mevlana Cultural Center, and the Stone Building Culture and Arts Center.