Ruhi Su Remembered in Istanbul Events on the 41st Anniversary of His Passing
Master artist Ruhi Su, one of the pioneers of Turkey's polyphonic music tradition, is being commemorated on the forty-first anniversary of his death with a graveside ceremony and a special concert.
Master artist Ruhi Su, one of the pioneers of Turkey's polyphonic music tradition, is being commemorated on the 41st anniversary of his passing with two separate programs in Istanbul.
Details of the Commemoration Program
Master artist Ruhi Su, one of the pioneers of Turkey's polyphonic music tradition, is being commemorated on the 41st anniversary of his death with two separate events in Istanbul. The commemoration program, to be held on Sunday, September 20, 2026, consists of a ceremony at Ruhi Su's monument grave in Zincirlikuyu and a commemoration concert at the Kartal Bülent Ecevit Cultural Center. Within the scope of the program, the IMM Department of Culture, Arts and Social Affairs, and the Ruhi Su Culture and Arts Association will keep the artist's memory and musical heritage alive through various events.
Graveside Ceremony
The commemoration program will begin with a ceremony held at 12:00 PM at the Ruhi Su Monument Grave in Zincirlikuyu. Organized by the Ruhi Su Culture and Arts Association, the commemoration will recall the artist's life, art, and the heritage he left to the cultural world. Ruhi Su will be remembered with his works and intellectual legacy at the ceremony, which will be attended by his artist friends, loved ones, and figures from the culture and arts world.
Commemoration Concert and Choir Performance
The second event of the day will take place at 8:00 PM at the Kartal Bülent Ecevit Cultural Center. At the Ruhi Su Commemoration Concert organized by the IMM Department of Culture, Arts and Social Affairs, the Ruhi Su Dostlar Choir, which keeps the artist's musical heritage alive, will take the stage. Under the direction of Conductor Nursel Dinler Yazman, Erdem Oral, Özgür Kıyat, and Ferda Ereren will participate as guest artists.
Transferring Cultural Heritage to the Future
Ruhi Su left a permanent mark on Turkey's musical history as one of the pioneering artists who reinterpreted the sources of folk music with a polyphonic music approach, seeing his art as an important tool in the transfer of social memory and cultural heritage. With the commemoration events to be held on his 41st death anniversary, it is aimed to pass on Ruhi Su's understanding of art and cultural heritage, as well as his works, to future generations.