Metin Erkuş Semazen & Leader of Sarband's Whirling Dervishes - Semazen Başı
«… this was more than an ordinary concert,
this was a ritual celebration of bridge-building
that joined people and religions …
full of hope how people can come together,
independent of their origin, religious tradition
or even detachment from religion …»
Reinhold Lindner, Freie Presse (Germany), 19.07.2005
Biography
Metin Erkuş was born in Istanbul (Turkey). He graduated at I.T.Ü. Turkish Music Conservatory.
He follows the path of the dervish since 1989.
He participates in performances of the ritual of the Mevlevi whirling dervishes (Sema / Ayin) worldwide.
Since 1996, as a whirling dervish (semazen) and as a semazen başı (leader of the dervishes),
he helps to spread Ensemble Sarband's message of spiritually guided tolerance.
Reviews
«Also the dance ritual of the five dervishes shows the Orient from a mystical perspective that points to the religions'
common roots.» Pedro Obiera, Giessener Allgemeine Zeitung (Germany) , 22.09.2010
«The hypnotically whirling dance of the dervishes and words of the great Sufi mystic Rumi, projected to the large screen,
made clear on a different level than that of the rational mind what this means: a love divine.»
Max Florian Kühlem, Ruhrnachrichten (Germany), 19.9.2010
«And as a climax an intense, aural as well as visual trance arose. Seven Sufi dervishes, clad in flowing white garments,
found their way into their circling, meditative movements. In this moment, the word «trance» did justice to its proper
meaning: trans-ire: transition into a higher stage of rapture.» Stefan Pieper, nmz (Germany), 19.09.2010
«A kiss of tolerance.» Ralf Döring, Osnabrücker Zeitung (Germany), 21.08.2007
«But yes! The solution of the Middel East conflict lies in the hands of music. Tell it to the politicians!
The proof was given yesterday evening at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia.» Mya Tannenbaum,
Corriere della Sera (Italy), 03.04.2007
«… this was more than an ordinary concert, this was a ritual celebration of bridge-building
that joined people and
religions … fascinating unity of voices, instruments and physical expression …
completely rounded, amazing and full
of hope how people can come together, independent of their origin, religious tradition
or even detachment from religion …»
Reinhold Lindner, Freie Presse (Germany), 19.07.2005
« … touching the bounds of ecstasy … » Elisabeth Risch, Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (Germany), 18.07.2005
«When Sufi Dervishes whirl under the cross in the cupola of St. Irene in Istanbul,
accompanied by a Cologne classical
orchestra, Sarband have again succeeded in building cultural bridges between cultures …»
Susanne Güsten, Qantara.de (Germany), 23.06.2005
«Received divine energy … Doubtlessly, more than a dance was performed here - a ritual, a prayer took place
…
insights into Sufi mysticism … the energy of tranquillity» MWo, Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger (Germany), 27.12.2003
