Below is a press release for a free June 14 performance in Millennium Park in honor of the 800th anniversary of the Sufi poet Rumi, featuring vocalist Ahmet Ozhan and his ensemble of 40 musicans and dancers plus whirling dervishes from Turkey. It promises to be an amazing show in an exquisite (if over budget) setting.... and is one of the reasons, dear Dreyfus, that city dwellers choose to endure the cost and crime and cronyism and live here rather than out there.
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THE WHIRLING DERVISHES OF TURKEY
AND VOCALIST AHMET OZHAN
IN A FREE PERFORMANCE AT MILLENNIUM PARK
**Thursday, June 14 at 6:30pm **
On the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the great humanist, mystic, poet and theologian Rumi, UNESCO has declared 2007 as the "Year of Rumi". Well-known vocalist Ahmet Ozhan, a leading interpreter of Rumi's songs, will make a rare appearance in the United States, performing with his 40-member music and dance ensemble, followed by an appearance by the Whirling Dervishes of Turkey.
The free performance takes place in Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion at 6:30pm on Thursday, June 14. The performance is presented in cooperation with the Consulate General of Turkey in Chicago and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Turkey.
Mawlana Jalal ud-din Muhammed Rumi was born in Persia in 1207. A prolific writer, he produced major works of verse and prose which have transcended cultural and ethnic borders throughout the centuries. Rumi also founded the Mevlevi mystic order, commonly known as the "Whirling Dervishes" and created the Sema rite, a ritualistic sacred dance to symbolically seek the divine truth and maturity. Rumi's message of love, peace and harmony among humanity continues to resonate with people around the world.
Since an early age, Ahmet Ozhan has been considered an exceptional singer and a leading representative of the Turkish classical Sufi music tradition. Today, he is a celebrity in his country and a well known leader of Sufi music concerts throughout Europe, the US and Middle East. In this concert, he appears with his 40-member music and dance ensemble.
For more information about the Whirling Dervishes and Ahmet Ozhan, please contact 312-742-1168 or visit www.millenniumpark.org.
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