― 29 января 2025 г.
Commemorative event dedicated to Kamran Aziz held in TURKSOY Headquarters
The International Organisation of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY) organised a commemoration event dedicated to Kamran Aziz, one of the pioneers of Cypriot folk music, composer and pharmacist. The event hosted by the Secretariat General of TURKSOY was attended by many scholars and artists from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and Türkiye.
The event started with opening speeches on the artistic heritage of Kamran Aziz, the voice of the common heritage of the Turkic World. In his speech, TURKSOY Secretary General Sultan Raev stated that Kamran Aziz was one of the cornerstones of Cypriot folk music and said: ‘His compositions are not just melodies; they are a cultural heritage reflecting the feelings, joys and hopes of the people. We commemorate him with respect and gratitude’.
In their speeches, Mr. Tolga Ünsal, the President of the Turkish Cypriot Cultural Association, H. E. Mr. Ismet Korukoğlu, the Ambassador of the TRNC to Ankara, and Mr. Şamil Ayrım, the MP of the AK Party from Istanbul and Deputy Chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group of Türkiye - TRNC in the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Türkiye, emphasised Kamran Aziz' contributions in the fields of music and pharmacy, and touched upon his impact on the cultural identity of the Turkish Cypriot people.
The commemorative event went on with a short documentary film on the life of Kamran Aziz prior to a panel discussion held with the participation of scholars and artists such as Assoc. Prof. Dr. Neşe Akcan Özlük, from the Near East University of Northern Cyprus, Mr. Eralp Adanır, the President of the Mete Adanır Foundation and journalist, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Balyemez, the Director of the Research Centre of the Başkent University on Cypriot Turkish History who discussed the contributions of Kamran Aziz to music and the cultural heritage of the Turkic World.
At the end of the event, famous songs of Kamran Aziz such as ‘Gelin Geliyor Gelin’ (Here Comes the Bride) and ‘Al Yemeni Mor Yemeni’ (Red Scarf, Violet Scarf) were performed by Nafiz Dölek and the Children and Youth Art Ensemble Rhythm & Dance.
Participants who stressed the importance of transferring these works to future generations as a part of cultural heritage, received plaquettes and certificates of appreciation of TURKSOY in recognition of their contribution to the event.
With this meaningful event, Kamran Aziz, who inscribed his name in the common cultural memory of the Turkic World with his life and work, was once again commemorated with great respect and deep gratitude.
