Istanbul Sufi Ceremonies Ensemble Received with Great Acclaim in Tokat

Istanbul Sufi Ceremonies Ensemble held four cultural events on June 19–20, 2025, in some of Tokat’s most significant historical venues. Hosted by the Tokat Governorship, the program began at the Tokat Mevlevihane (Mevlevi Lodge), where Sheikh M. Fatih Çıtlak delivered a Masnavi lecture, offering interpretations of selected couplets from the Masnavi al-Ma’navi. Following the talk, a traditional Sema ceremony was performed in the lodge’s garden, accompanied by the Hicaz Mevlevi Ayin, composed by one of the most prominent Mevlevi composers, Kutbu’n-Nayi Osman Dede. On the second day, the audience gathered at the historic Yağıbasan Madrasah for a concert titled Bektaşi Nefesleri, featuring devotional hymns from the Bektashi tradition. The program concluded at Gök Madrasah, a rare Seljuk-era monument whose restoration was completed on May 8, with a spiritual performance of Devran. The ensemble extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Tokat Governorship for organizing this meaningful program, which was met with great enthusiasm by the people of Tokat.