Aydın seeks return of old composition

AYDIN - Anatolia News Agency

The Seikilos Epitaph was discovered in Aydın’s ancient city of Tralleis. DHA photo

The Seikilos Epitaph, the oldest surviving example of a complete musical composition, is expected to return to the Aegean province of Aydın, where it was first found.

Aydın Provincial Culture and Tourism Director Nuri Aktakka said the Seikilos Epitaph, which was found in the ancient city of Tralleis between 1882 and 1883 during construction of the Aydın-İzmir railway, was smuggled to İzmir and then abroad.

He said the epitaph had been on display at the Copenhagen Museum in Denmark. “[We are doing research on our historical artifacts that have been smuggled abroad from Aydın and informing the Culture Ministry about them. We have initiated works with the ministry for the return of Seikilos Epitaph. The writings and musical notes on this epitaph are very significant for Aydın and the ancient city of Tralleis. We will do our best to bring it back.”

The Greek poetry in the epitaph is as follows: “While you live, shine, have no grief at all; life exists only for a short while, and time demands its toll.”