Showcase

Often encompassing mind, body and soul, Rumi’s teachings are all about love, compassion and living harmoniously in a world where human relations are often with strife. The city of Konya and the Sufi poet are intertwined in a kind of mystical dance that sees an array of global citizens come here each year to experience that sense of mysticism, together. Showcase's Sharaz Ali went in search of their stories

This week, the entire city of Konya is singing and dancing along to the sounds of the Mystic Music festival. Hailing from all over the world, the festival is not only an homage to Mevlana Jellaludin Rumi, but a celebration of the global voice of spirituality. Two performers who embody that spirit joins Showcase: Arianna Savall who plays the harp and Derya Turkan who plays the kemenche.

#DeryaTurkan #AriannaSavall #Showcase

In this episode of Showcase:

Bilal Kuspinar, director of the International Rumi Center for the Study of Civilization:

Turner Prize 2018 nominees:

Derya Turkan and Arianna Savall, musicians:

Seljuk architecture in Konya:

From monuments, madrasahs, mosques and caravanserais, the city of Konya is unique in its mixing of the modern and the ancient. Here, slick, multi-storey skyscrapers cast shadows onto old stone buildings, with each managing to exist in a kind of architectural harmony. Showcase’s Sharaz Ali went in search of what gives this city its great sense of history, and why some of those buildings are still standing.

In this episode of Showcase:

Konya Manuscript Library:

Mystic Music Festival attendees, Alina Elahi and Golnaz Fathi:

Leyla Gencer: Primadonna and Loneliness exhibition:

The Old Man and the Gun:

Festival Images Vevey:

Marina Abramovic retrospective:

It might be hard to imagine, but there did exist a time before keyboards and touchscreens or even moveable type. Eloquently putting pen to paper to create manuscripts was an art form. These meticulously written documents were often accompanied by often lavish illustrations whose borders were etched in gold leaf. Encompassing everything from mathematical calculations to maps, these were and still are considered sacred pieces of writing. Showcase’s Sharaz Ali takes us to a very special place in Konya, where many of these treasures can be found.

Leyla Gencer was known and admired internationally as 'the Turkish diva', thanks to a powerful voice that both inspired and enthralled in equal measure. And she spent most of her life as the ultimate primadonna of Italy's foremost opera house La Scala Theatre. Gencer died in 2008, and a decade on, Istanbul is hosting a special archive exhibition in her honour. Showcase's Miranda Atty has more.

#LeylaGencer #Exhibitions #Showcase

It is a sensitive time for arts in Brazil. After the tragic fire that gutted most of the collection inside the National Museum in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilians are anxious to rebuild what remains of the physical side of their cultural heritage. When it comes to contemporary art, Sao Paulo Biennial is considered the second most important event in the international art world. And now, in its 33rd edition, the biennial has decided to change the way it sees things.

Each year, the Man Booker prize is an essential tool for helping book lovers build up their to-be-read piles. The nominees have just been announced for this year, so here's our look at who you might want to put on your own list.

At the heart of Anatolia, the city of Konya is also the home of some of the most soothing of spiritual melodies. And to celebrate these sonic treats, the former capital of the Seljuk Sultanate holds an annual Mystic Music Festival. It's one of the most respected events of its kind and we'd like to get you acquainted with the packed 2018 edition.

And to talk about the festival and the sema tradition, Mehmet Mithat Ozcakil joins Showcase. He is a third generation dervish, as well as a researcher at the Selcuk University, Institute of Rumi Studies.