The İznik Folk Song, specially prepared by the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality for world-famous pianist and composer Fazıl Say, will be performed for the first time on the shores of İznik Lake on Saturday, June 21 at 21.00:XNUMX p.m. Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey invited everyone who is devoted to art to witness this special moment, while Fazıl Say emphasized that the work is one of a kind because it includes vocal instruments.
Bursa Metropolitan Municipality, aiming to introduce İznik, a unique city with its structures bearing the traces of history and its ancient heritage that has been unearthed and still waiting to be discovered, to the world, has undertaken a special project in this regard. The piece called İznik Türküsü, composed by the famous artist Fazıl Say, will make its world premiere on Saturday evening, June 21, on the shores of İznik Lake.
Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey, Fazıl Say, Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Mehmet Yıldız, City History and Promotion Department Head Güney Özkılınç and many press members attended the introductory meeting held in Istanbul.
President Bozbey: “We will witness a historic moment”
Speaking at the introductory meeting, Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mustafa Bozbey said that İznik is the cradle of civilizations with its thousands of years of history and cultural accumulation. Emphasizing that they are carrying out many projects to bring this valuable heritage together with the world, Mayor Bozbey said, “This special work, inspired by İznik’s deep history, cultural richness and unique nature, will meet music lovers on June 21, the longest day of the year, and also on World Music Day. We will perform the world premiere of ‘İznik Türküsü’ on the shores of İznik Lake with our valued guests.”
Bozbey invited art lovers to witness this special moment and said, “İznik is one of the most unique living spaces in Türkiye with its lake, green areas and coast. We are working to promote the city and protect these unique beauties. I sincerely thank Fazıl Say for gifting this work to İznik and future generations. I believe that this work, which will be performed for the first time by Fazıl Say and Soprano Görkem Ezgi Yıldırım on June 21, should not be missed.”
Fazıl Say: “İznik is a world heritage”
Famous pianist and composer Fazıl Say drew attention to the historical importance of İznik in his speech. He reminded that İznik, which hosted many civilizations from ancient times to Byzantium, from Seljuk to Ottoman, was also the scene of important events such as the First Council. Say said, “İznik is a world heritage. In order to tell this cultural heritage, tourism promotion alone is not enough; permanent works are also needed. With this in mind, I aimed to tell the story of İznik through music upon the invitation of Bursa Metropolitan Municipality.”
Say, who explained that the name of the piece is İznik Türküsü (Ballad of Nicaea in English), said that the piece also includes the human voice and is the only example of its kind in this respect. Say, who stated that the piece, which lasts approximately 17-18 minutes, will provide listeners with an inner imaginary journey into the history of İznik, said, “This piece, which will come to life with the magnificent voice of Soprano Görkem Ezgi Yıldırım, will continue to be kept alive for years to come. We invite everyone to this special concert on June 21st in the enchanting nature of İznik Lake.”
The meeting ended with President Mustafa Bozbey and Fazıl Say answering questions from the press.
