Turkey's Changemakers: Don’t Let Anatolian Songs Be Forgotten…

The Sabanci Foundation’s Turkey’s Changemakers Program continues in its 6th season to share the unique stories of extraordinary people who contribute to social development. The 15th and last Changemaker of the 6th season is Emre Dayıoğlu.  

Emre Dayıoğlu, 27, is a music teacher in Durmus Yener Secondary School in the Bayralar village of Elmali, Antalya. In his spare time he has recorded around 500 pieces of music and makes an effort to share these pieces to others through social media so that they will not be forgotten.

In addition, Dayıoğlu has also contributed to the social development of children through organizing various activities. Thanks to his efforts, 600 students living in the villages of the Elmali district were introduced to the piano for the first time and the Antalya State Symphony Orchestra gave a concert in the Bayralar village school.

Dayıoğlu worked so that music pieces which were about to be forgotten were reintroduced to society. He also helped introduce children living in the villages to various musical genres. He has also made an effort to pass on the Anatolian culture from generation to generation. He has made a big difference through recording hundreds of pieces so that Anatolian folklore is kept alive and will not be forgotten.