Palmeras Alanya Jazz Festival, one of the longest-running jazz festivals in Turkey, was held for the 20th time between 12-20 September. At the closing of the festival organized by Alanya Municipality and Alanya Tourism Promotion Foundation (ALTAV), world-famous Spanish artist Concha Buika, who blends flamenco, jazz, soul and Afro-Cuban rhythms with her unique style, took the stage.
Another interesting development that took place on Buika's stage was that the Spanish singer brought the doctor who treated her on stage. The artist, who had a serious health problem after coming to Turkey and was hospitalized for about a week, thanked his doctors from the stage. Stating that she had a hard time and that Turkish doctors gave her life again, Buika said that Dr. Buika, a urologist who is also interested in music as an amateur, said: He invited Oğuz Acar to the stage and sang three songs together.
While the performance of Latin Grammy award-winning composer and songwriter Buika left an unforgettable mark on the minds of music lovers, the interest shown by the people of Alanya to the concerts from the first day to the last day was remarkable. Many spectators followed the musicians standing in the concert area, where there was a seating group of approximately 1200 people.
Another remarkable feature of the festival was that it brought history and music together. The concert area, located in the 800-year-old Seljuk heritage Kızılkule Square and right at the foot of the Kızılkule, created a visually impressive atmosphere.
At the festival, Kerem Görsev Trio, Önder Focan & Şallıel Bros “Funkbook” (feat. Cansu N. Akarsu), The Puppini Sisters, Eylül Ergül, Ivan “Melon” Lewis & The Cuban Swing Express, Neşet Ruacan, Önder Focan, Cem Tuncer, Selen Gülün, Della Miles, Cem Tuncer All Star Band (feat. Selen Beytekin, Dilek Sert Erdoğan & Important names of Turkish and world jazz such as Selen Gülün) and Burçin Büke Quartet took part.
Another name that stood out at the event was the festival's guest of honor, TV and radio producer İzzet Öz. While the special exhibition, prepared from Öz's archive and containing 20 signed records belonging to important names of world jazz, was presented to the festival audience, Öz also met with the participants with an interview called "Jazz Talks". During the interview, Neşet Ruacan, Önder Focan, Cem Tuncer and Selen Gülün shared their evaluations on jazz music with Öz.
Additionally, an exhibition consisting of photographs by master photographer Aykut Uslutekin was also included in the festival area.
One of the names that left their mark on the Palmeras Alanya Jazz Festival was the visually impaired 23-year-old young jazz pianist Deniz Sincar. Sinjar; He took part in joint performances with Kerem Görsev, Burçin Büke, Della Miles and Ivan “Melon” Lewis.
During our festival journey, we also happened to visit the ancient city of Syedra, approximately 20 kilometers away from Alanya. It is estimated that the history of the ancient city, where excavations were first carried out in the 1990s and comprehensive studies were only six years old, dates back to the 7th century BC. Studies, Assoc. Dr. It continues to be carried out under the chairmanship of Hasan Ertuğ Ergürer.
While Syedra, built on a hill and located at a point overlooking a very wide part of the Mediterranean basin, existed until the 13th century, there are many buildings in the city that are still partially standing. Located in the southeastern part of the campus, the street, which is approximately 300 meters long with rows of columns and approximately 10 meters wide, gives the feeling of a journey through history while walking, while ancient mosaics were unearthed as a result of the work carried out in the bathhouse on the east side.
Alanya, like many Mediterranean cities, is a tourism destination that stands out with its sea, sun and sand trio. However, both local authorities and Alanya residents are aware that their city has much more potential than this. That's why they are determined to bring events that stand out with art, history and sports to visitors in the coming years.
A suggestion from me to those who go there: While you are enjoying your holiday, do not forget to visit different experience points in the city.
