By Selma Kasap
ANKARA (AA) – As the voice of Turkey’s president, Ibrahim Kalin is known to foreigners for setting out the country’s vision in his faultless English.
However, on a recent trip to a fine arts school in the capital Ankara, Kalin demonstrated his love for traditional Anatolian music.
The presidential spokesman treated students at the Ankara Fine Arts High School to a recital of songs while playing the baglama, a string instrument sometimes called the saz.
“Music is not a luxury or only a mean of entertainment,” Kalin, a former academic who has published books on Islamic philosophy, said.
“We are the heirs of Anatolia, a great music civilization when we consider music tradition. Turkish music has become a world-class music tradition today.
“It is very important to keep it alive and add new things to it.”
Among the songs he played alongside singer Yavuz Bingol during Tuesday’s visit was Yemen Turkusu, a folk song about Ottoman soldiers posted to Yemen during World War I; Asik Veysel’s Uzun Ince Bir Yoldayim, or I Walk on a Long and Narrow Road; and Sari Gelin, or Golden Bride.
Education Minister Ismet Yilmaz was among those who enjoyed the performance.
