As part of the events marking Poland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, the 49th concert in the “Music Life Around Us” series was held at the Polish Embassy in Ankara. Zeynep Erkan, a violinist with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra and the organizer of the concert series, stated that their goal was to present a different face of Türkiye and showcase the success of Turkish musicians to the diplomatic community in Ankara.
The concert was hosted by the Polish Ambassador to Türkiye, Maciej Lang. The evening featured performances by young pianists Hazal Hasırcıoğulları, Ali Toprak Kıran, Derin Zehra Erdem, Polat Cansızoğlu, Tuna Karakaya, and Eren Düzenli, all students of Sanem Berkalp and winners of various international competitions, who performed works by Bach, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, and Chopin.
Speaking at the opening of the event, Ambassador Lang said, “Tonight is not only a celebration of music but also of the cultural ties between Poland and Türkiye. Music is a force that transcends borders and unites people beyond words. Let us experience this concert as a moment of harmony, inspiration, and friendship.” He noted that Poland would hold the EU Council Presidency until the end of the month, adding, “This evening’s event is an opportunity to highlight the strong bond between the EU and Türkiye and Poland’s unwavering support for Türkiye’s accession process.”
Zeynep Erkan, one of the creators of the concert series and a violinist with the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, said that the project started in 2015 with Zeynep Ersavcı. “Our goal was to promote musicians in Türkiye. We’ve held 49 events over 10 years. I especially want students to stand out. They are all very successful and hardworking young people. We want to showcase their talents to foreign diplomats. We also want to promote this side of Türkiye.”
Erkan emphasized that conservatories, orchestras, and choir work are all parts of Türkiye’s strong cultural foundation. “There are very valuable teachers and students who win international competitions all across Türkiye, especially in Ankara, İzmir, and Istanbul. We want to convey Türkiye’s depth in classical music.”
Zeynep Ersavcı, another organizer of the event, also emphasized that classical music is one of Türkiye’s strong suits. Ersavcı said, “There is no single truth about Türkiye. Classical music education is also a very real and serious aspect. Ankara has deep-rooted conservatories, highly esteemed instructors, and a thriving student body. Our effort is to introduce this world to diplomatic missions.”
Ersavcı underlined that the event was not only about promotion but also offered an important stage experience for young artists. “When students perform at embassies, they are giving an international performance on another country’s territory. This is very exciting and unforgettable for them. We are not an association, we have no budget, but we do this with all our heart, and it brings us great personal fulfillment,” she said.
