Konya home to Rumi events in 738th year

The 10-day events for the anniversary of Rumi reunion will draw visitors to Konya. Hürriyet photo

The 738th International Rumi reunion anniversary events will start on Dec. 7 in the Central Anatolian province of Konya.
Konya Gov. Aydın Nezih Doğan said at a press conference Nov. 29 that they expected a record number of visitors to come to the province this year for the festivities.
He said the number of speed trains between Ankara and Konya would be increased to 14 as of today and added that additional flights would also be organized for people who plan to attend Şeb-i Arus, or the reunion night ceremonies, which are organized between Dec. 10 and 17.
Tickets for the most important night, Dec. 17, are already sold out, Doğan said. Some 6,000 people applied to attend the night but the capacity of the hall is limited to 2,650, he said, adding that the ceremonies were one of the most important events in the province and were drawing more demand every year.
During the 10-day program, 144 events will be organized, he said. “People who come to Konya will be satisfied with culture and art. We will also show our hospitality in the best way to our guests.”
The events will start Dec. 7 with a “love and tolerance march.” This will be followed by a whirling dervish performance at the Mevlana Museum that is timed to coincide with exhibition openings.