Turkish-Japanese friendship concert held in Germany

A special friendship concert was held in Cologne, Germany, marking the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Japan.

The event, titled “From Yamato to Anatolia,” was co-organized by the Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) in Cologne and the Japanese Cultural Center.

Harmonious fusion of cultures

The concert featured Turkish pianist, composer, and academic Cigdem Borucu, alongside koto virtuoso Atsuko Suetomi, who has been residing in Türkiye for some time.

The duo captivated the audience with a unique blend of melodies from both Japanese and Anatolian traditions, creating an atmosphere of cultural fusion.

In attendance were Türkiye’s newly appointed Consul General in Cologne, Huseyin Kantem Al, as well as art, culture, and science enthusiasts.

Traditional music meets modern interpretation

The concert program featured a harmonious mix of traditional Japanese tunes and Türkiye’s rich musical heritage. The organizers informed the audience about the background of the pieces performed, including the famous Japanese folk song “Sakura Sakura.”

One of the highlights of the evening was Cigdem Borucu’s original composition “Ziyaret,” performed with piano and koto.

Cigdem Borucu dedicated the piece “Ziyaret” to the memory of the ill-fated journey of the Turkish naval ship, the Ertugrul Frigate – which set sail from Istanbul to Japan in 1890. The piece symbolizes the deep-rooted solidarity and friendship between the two nations.

The concert concluded with a powerful rendition of Asik Veysel’s timeless work, “Uzun Ince Bir Yoldayim,” leaving the audience in awe.

Looking ahead: Strengthening Turkish-Japanese ties

Director of the Japanese Cultural Center in Cologne, Harufumi Murata, emphasized that Turkish-Japanese relations had developed even before the official 100-year mark.

Murata shared that he had learned about the tragic story of the Turkish navy from his mother’s stories as a child, expressing his long-standing knowledge of and affection for Türkiye.

Yunus Emre Institute Director Yilmaz Bulut noted that Turkish-Japanese relations are not widely known in Germany.

To raise awareness, he announced the Institute would organize an informative conference on Oct. 18 in collaboration with the Japanese Cultural Center.