The music culture of Şanlıurfa is being introduced to the world.

The Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality, aiming to bring the city’s deep-rooted music culture and rich gastronomic heritage to the world stage, organized the UNESCO Music City Şanlıurfa Launch.

As a strong candidate to host the UNESCO Cities of Music meeting to be held in 2026 with the title of UNESCO Music City, Şanlıurfa will compete on behalf of Turkey with cities such as Kansas City (USA), Belfast (Northern Ireland), and Da Lat (Vietnam). The Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality, which aims to represent the city in the best way possible on this prestigious platform with its rich musical heritage, held the UNESCO Music City Şanlıurfa Launch for this purpose.

The launch program, held at the Şanlıurfa Archaeology Museum, was attended by the Mayor of the Metropolitan Municipality, Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar, Şanlıurfa Governor Hasan Şıldak, Ankara Metropolitan Municipality and Historical Cities Union President Mansur Yavaş, Member of the Board of the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO and Vice President Prof. Dr. Nizamettin Kazancı, mayors, ambassadors, artists, and national and international representatives.

After the treacherous attack in Ankara, concerts and music events were canceled

The event, which also featured the exhibition “Music in Urfa from Past to Present,” showcased the historical development of the city’s music. The program began with a moment of silence and the reading of the Istiklal Marşı, during which the planned concert was canceled due to the terrorist attack on the TUSAŞ facilities in the Kahramankazan district of Ankara.

“Şanlıurfa has added another value to our cultural heritage by receiving the title of music city”

Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar, the Mayor of Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality, delivered his speech in English, condemning the attack and wishing God’s mercy on those who lost their lives in the treacherous terrorist attack in Ankara, and a speedy recovery to the injured. Gülpınar emphasized that Şanlıurfa’s receipt of the UNESCO-recognized title of music city has added another value to its cultural heritage, stating, “I thank the architects of this important success and everyone who contributed. Şanlıurfa is not only a meeting point of civilizations but also an ancient city where the thousands of years of music history have been written. These lands, which illuminate human history with unique archaeological sites such as Göbeklitepe and Karahantepe, have also carried the universal language of music from the depths of history to the present day.”

“Music is a cultural heritage that inspires young talents in Şanlıurfa”

Gülpınar stated that Şanlıurfa, shaped by Arab, Kurdish, Turkish, Armenian, and Assyrian cultures, reflects this diversity in its music and has introduced many famous artists to the world. “From Mükim Tahir to Hac Nuri Hafız, from Tenekeci Mahmut to Halil Hafız Uzungöl, from Ahmet Uzungöl to Şükrü Hafız Çadırcı and Abdullah Balak, from Kazancı Bedih to İbrahim Tatlıses, from Müslüm Gürses to Nuri Sesigüzel, and from Şıvan Perver to Mehmet Acet (Âşık Sefai), many artists’ musical journeys began in these lands. One of the symbols of Urfa’s music culture, the Sıra Geceleri, has been included in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. This tradition is a cultural heritage that passes music from master to apprentice and inspires young talents. Sıra Geceleri is not only a local event but also a value that contributes to the international recognition of Şanlıurfa in terms of music tourism.” he said.

“We are working hard to make Şanlıurfa the center of music”

Gülpınar emphasized that as a metropolitan municipality, they are aware of their responsibility to protect and develop these values, stating, “With this awareness, our Şanlıurfa will compete among candidates including Kansas City (USA), Belfast (Northern Ireland), and Da Lat (Vietnam) to host the UNESCO Cities of Music meeting in 2026 as a UNESCO Music City and will represent our rich musical heritage on these prestigious platforms. Together with all our institutions, we are working hard to make Şanlıurfa the center of music. I hope this meaningful day is beneficial for our city and country, and I greet you all with my warmest feelings.”

Prof. Dr. Nizamettin Kazancı, Member of the Board of the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO and Vice President, wished for Şanlıurfa to have the title of UNESCO Music City, stating that the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO is ready to provide all kinds of support in this regard. Prof. Dr. Kazancı thanked the Şanlıurfa Governor’s Office and Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Municipality for organizing this program.

Gülpınar was selected as a cultural ambassador

Meanwhile, the decision taken at the UCLG-MEWA Board of Directors and Council Joint Meeting held in Diyarbakır was announced by the presenter during the program. In the voting conducted, Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Mayor Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar was elected as a Cultural Ambassador among the other candidates. Gülpınar said, “I hope this is a good thing.”

“Congratulations on the music city application”

In his speech during the program, Şanlıurfa Governor Hasan Şıldak condemned the treacherous attack in Ankara, wishing God’s mercy on the martyrs and a speedy recovery to the injured. He found the application for Şanlıurfa, the ancient city, to have the title of UNESCO Music City meaningful, wishing for the music city application to be beneficial and thanking the institutions that have supported this cause since 2019 and everyone who contributed.

“We will try to provide support”

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality and Historical Cities Union President Mansur Yavaş, who began his speech by condemning the treacherous attack in Ankara, stated that they held the Historical Cities Union meeting in Şanlıurfa to provide support for Şanlıurfa’s application to become a UNESCO Music City. Yavaş mentioned the efforts they are making as the Historical Cities Union, saying, “As the Historical Cities Union, we will also try to support Şanlıurfa regarding the restoration of historical sites. Our folk songs, our traditions, and our music are the legacy of our ancestors. This tradition, customs, and music must be passed on to future generations. We will also do the necessary work in this regard.” Yavaş also thanked Şanlıurfa Governor Hasan Şıldak and Şanlıurfa Metropolitan Mayor Mehmet Kasım Gülpınar for organizing the launch event.

“I am proud of Urfa”

After the speeches, Şanlıurfa’s music legend İbrahim Tatlıses and Urfa artists Mehmet Özlek, Münevver Özdemir, İbrahim Halil Altıngöz, Zekeriya Ünlü, Mehmet Bitmez, İbrahim Turgut, Ömer Türkmenoğlu, Musa Göçmen, Aşık Sefai, Dertli Divani, Mahmut Aydoğdu, and Esat Al received the ‘Honorary Award for Contribution to Music.’ İbrahim Tatlıses, who received his award from Gülpınar, stated that he has never been disconnected from Şanlıurfa and is proud of the city, wishing that the application for Şanlıurfa to have the title of UNESCO Music City is beneficial.

The program concluded with a performance, food service, and group photographs.