Middle Eastern Spirituality

and Peace

 
 

Latif Bolat:
Turkish Mystic Sufi Musician,
Singer and Composer

Visit to Edinburgh,

Workshop and Evening Concert
Saturday 4 October 2008

Event: Day Workshop: Turkish Mystic Sufi Literature:
Poetry, Storytelling, Humour and Philosophical Writings.

Venue: Augustine United Church, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EL.
Time: Registration: 10am-10.30am. Workshop: 10.30am-4pm. Lunch Break: 1pm-2pm.

Event Description: In this workshop, we'll review the development of Sufi mysticism within the religion of Islam starting from the time of Prophet Mohammed and after. These developments will be taken from historical, spiritual and artistic dimensions. In addition to the history and philosophy of Sufism, we'll concentrate on the artistic expressions of the Sufi mystics for the past 1000 years, especially from the Turkish perspective. We'll have a journey from the steppes of the Central Asia into Anatolia. We'll trace the mystical nature of the pre-Islamic nomadic Turkish people, their Nature worshiping, Shamanistic beliefs and their effects on the later Sufi Mysticism that was developed among these nomadic people. We'll review the poetry of Yunus Emre, Rumi, Nesimi and many other Bektashi poets. We'll work on the songs of these Wandering Dervishes from the 12th century on. You can expect to go home with a good understanding of the Turkish mysticism of the past 1000 years after this workshop. If you stay for the evening music event following the workshop, you can immerse yourself in the poetry and music of these Wandering Dervishes.

Cost: £20/£15 (Concessions). Postal Registration Form or Register Online below
Contact: Neill Walker, mesp2008@hotmail.co.uk, 0131 331 4469.

Register Online Now for this Workshop:

Event: Healing Sounds of the Wandering Dervishes of Turkey:
Turkish Mystic Sufi Music, Poetry, Stories and Images with Latif Bolat.

Venue: Meeting Room, Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2JL.
Time: 7pm: Doors Open. 7.30pm-9.30pm: Music Event.

Event Description: Turkish Mystic Sufi musician, singer and composer Latif Bolat will present mystic Sufi music, poetry, stories and images of the Wandering Dervishes from the ancient land of Turkey. Travelling from the Mediterranean city of Mersin in Turkey, Latif Bolat plays Turkish Folk ballads and ecstatic devotional Sufi songs. These are the ritualistic music and poetry of the Anatolian mystics since the 12th Century. From the horrifying years of the Crusaders and Genghis Khan's destruction in the Middle East, through to the present days, people found great comfort in this Sufi culture. Throughout, Latif Bolat will also recite devotional poetry from 13th Century Sufi poets Yunus Emre, Rumi and other ancient poets, and will show images of the Turkish people and sacred places from the land of Anatolia.

One of the most well-known Turkish musicians in the US, his mesmerizing performances draw on ancient texts and employ traditional instrumentation such as the Saz (long necked lute). Now partially residing in New Mexico and Turkey, Latif Bolat has presented his music all across America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Bulgaria, Spain, Turkey, the Philippines, Ireland, England and Scotland. In addition to the workshops, music events and lectures around the world, he has recorded 4 very successful CDs, made many TV and Radio appearances, and composed music for the PBS Documentary “Muhammed: Legacy of a Prophet,” and George Lucas’s TV series “Young Indiana Jones.” He is also the co-author of the compilation book of ancient Turkish Sufi poets entitled “Quarrelling with God: Mystic Rebel Poems of the Dervishes of Turkey.” Latif Bolat has recently performed at the Carnegie Hall in NYC and received the Best Collaboration CD Award from the European Union for his work with the Bulgarian Jazz group Lot Lorien.

Latif Bolat website: http://www.latifbolat.com/

Cost: £10/£8 (Concessions), on the door on the night.
Contact: Neill Walker, mesp2008@hotmail.co.uk, 0131 331 4469.

Download A4 poster/flyer for these events (2 Mb PDF file)

Download Latif Bolat press release.