About this Event
Taking place during the month of Ramadan, The Sound of Contemplation: Silence, Reflection, Devotion is a concert that brings Turkish Sufi music into dialogue with the reflective and devotional atmosphere of the holy month. Organised by Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – London, the concert will be held on Wednesday, 4 March 2026, at 7:30 pm at St Mary's Church Islington.
Ramadan is a time shaped by attentiveness, restraint, and inward reflection. Drawing on this shared sensibility, the concert offers an evening where music unfolds with care and intention, allowing space for both sound and silence. Rather than presenting a fixed ritual structure, the programme invites listening as a contemplative act, aligned with the slower and more mindful rhythm of the month.
The repertoire brings together selected works from the broader tradition of Turkish Sufi music, with a particular emphasis on Ramadan hymns and devotional pieces. While the programme draws on familiar poetic and musical sources, it is shaped specifically for the holy month, foregrounding themes of devotion, humility, and remembrance. Musical expression remains measured and unhurried, guided by balance and pacing, allowing each piece to breathe and the listener to remain within a reflective and grounded state.
Poetry plays a central role in the programme, with verses by Yunus Emre and other Anatolian Sufi poets whose words resonate closely with the ethical and spiritual tone of Ramadan. Set within the modal language of Turkish makam music, these texts unfold gradually, encouraging reflection rather than immediacy, and allowing meaning to emerge through attentive listening.
The concert is performed by Serda Türkel Oter and Eray Cinpir (vocals), with Serdar Yılmaz on qanun and Tolga Oter on oud. The ensemble approaches the repertoire with a shared sensitivity to text, proportion, and musical restraint, shaping the programme as a cohesive listening experience attentive to both expression and stillness.
Designed for audiences attentive to musical form, poetic depth, and context, The Sound of Contemplation: Silence, Reflection, Devotion offers an intimate and focused listening experience. Within the resonant space of St Mary’s Church, the concert invites listeners to pause, listen closely, and encounter Sufi music as a reflective practice deeply in tune with the spirit of Ramadan.
📩 Questions? Email: [email protected]
Additional Information:
- Please arrive by 7:00 PM to allow sufficient time for seating. To ensure an uninterrupted experience for both performers and audience, late entry will not be permitted after 7:45 PM.
- The event lasts approximately 60 - 75 minutes with no intermission.
- St Mary's Islington is easily accessible by public transport; please check local routes and parking options.
- Smart casual attire is recommended.
- As seating is unreserved, we suggest arriving early.
- Guests are welcome to take photos during the concert; however, we kindly ask that no flash is used and that photography remains discreet so as not to disturb the performers or audience. Please remain seated while taking photos and avoid moving around the venue during the performance.
- If you share your images on social media, we would be delighted if you could tag us @yeelondra.
- Professional photography and videography will be carried out exclusively by authorised personnel appointed by the organiser. Please be advised that recording and photography will take place during the event for archival, marketing, and promotional purposes. By attending this event, you consent to the Yunus Emre Institute capturing and using images and footage for these purposes.
- For further information, please contact us at:
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
St Mary's Church, Islington, Upper Street, London, United Kingdom
GBP 10.00 to GBP 15.00
