738th Rumi ceremonies end in Konya

KONYA - Anatolia News Agency

Thousands of people visited the Central Anatolian province of Konya for ceremonies marking the 738th anniversary of Mevlana Jalaladdin Rumi’s death, the local mayor said yesterday during a press conference marking the festival’s end.

“Twenty-one whirling dervish dance performances were held in 10 days. Many statesmen from various parts of the world came to the city for events,” Konya Metropolitan Mayor Tahir Akyürek said.
Akyürek also thanked organizations that contributed to the organization. “Şeb-i arus [the ceremony marking Rumi’s death] is becoming a world brand. It is one of the most notable events in the world. We have some deficiencies but we will work on it. We will organize a meeting a few weeks before the start of the 739th Rumi ceremonies,” he said.

Konya Culture and Tourism Director Mustafa Çıpan said the 21 whirling dervish dance performances had been viewed by nearly 54,000 people.

He also said concerts, panel discussions, theatrical events and symposiums had been held as part of the events, and that 370 tours were organized to the city.