Courses to open to keep tradition of minstrelsy alive

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

The Culture and Tourism Ministry is looking for literate minstrels in order to keep the tradition of minstrelsy (aşıklık) alive.

Minstrelsy was declared by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.

Ministry official Murat Salim Tokaç said a course would be opened affiliated with the ministry’s Ankara State Turkish Folk Music Choir to train new minstrels, adding that the participants would be trained and accompanied by the choir.

“The Minstrelsy tradition is one of the most significant treasures of our culture and has been performed in various regions for centuries. With this effort, we want to show this aspect of Turkey’s value to more people,” Tokaç said.

When asked if singers from Ankara would be accepted as minstrels, he said they should not be prejudiced. “It is not true to refuse such things, which are approved by society. Unless they harm our social values, we should not be prejudiced against them,” Tokaç said.

Those who would like to attend the courses and learn about the minstrelsy tradition should apply to the Ankara State Turkish Folk Music Choir Directorate, he added.