Fez – At the heart of Bab Al Makina of Fez, in a setting lit with soft, golden light and filled with the quiet energy of hundreds, the Istanbul Sufi Ceremonies Ensemble took the stage for a performance that was a living tradition.
As part of the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, the ensemble presented Sema, the spiritual practice of whirling rooted in the teachings of Jalaluddin Rumi.
The performance opened with slow, meditative rhythms played on instruments nearly a century old.
But the music’s origins go back even further. “Tonight our Sema music is almost 100 years old, and the ceremony itself is from the Mevlevi Sufi order, nearly 400 years old,” said the director of the ensemble to Morocco World News, who also performed as a whirling dervish.
He explained that the ceremony isn’t just performance, it’s a spiritual act, passed down through generations.
For the ensemble, staying true to the origins of Sema matters. In a time when traditions are often reshaped or simplified, this group remains committed to preserving the full ceremony, musically and spiritually.
“Sema tells unity. Rumi talks about unity and brotherhood. That’s something we still need today.”
The audience in Fez, including diplomats and festival-goers from around the world, seemed to understand the meaning.
Mustafa İlker Kılıç ambassador of Turkey to Morocco shared his appreciation of the performance in an interview with Morocco World News: “It was an honor to witness this performance. The music, the movement, the setting, everything came together magnificently.”
He praised the people of Fez for showing such strong support for the event.
“Looking around, seeing so many here, it shows the love people have for Turkish culture.
It was a powerful night, and I think it helps build more bridges between our cultures.”
The ambassador also reflected on the deep ties between Morocco and Turkey. “We’re two ends of the Mediterranean, but we’ve exchanged so much over the centuries. You can see the similarities in our music, our traditions, our values.”
As the dervishes spun, robes flowing in slow circles, the atmosphere was calm and full of purpose.
It wasn’t only about performance, it was about memory, devotion, and connection. In a festival that brings the world to Fez, the Istanbul Ensemble brought centuries of spirit with them.
