The Amazing Mevlevi Sema Ceremony. Istanbul

Hi Steemit friends,

Welcome to my first post about my life as a travel photographer, as some of you already know from my previous comments, I have been working for more than 3 years for a well-known tourism company which has allowed me to see and experience a huge number of great places and activities around the world. Now I'm ready to share with all of you my journey.

I will start from the Beginning; ISTANBUL!

#1 The Amazing Mevlevi Sema Ceremony. Istanbul
I am going to admit up front that I am not much of an arts person. I find dancing, plays, and art work to be spectacular on occasion, but it is not something that normally captures my attention. That is why I was really stunned at how amazing the Mevlevi Sema Ceremeony at the HodiaPasha Cultural Center was!

They were truly spectacular and something I have not stopped talking about since I watched them.
After viewing the performances, I did a little research. This ceremony dates back over 800 years, and was an art form dedicated to the entire universe.

It is a celebration that focuses on everything from the smallest atom to the universe and the solar system that we live in. It is a testimony to how amazing the human species is, from our blood cells, to how we think, and how the world revolves around us. It was truly like nothing I had ever seen before.

The great thing about this ceremony is that it is about much more than just the things around us. No, this ceremony takes each viewer on a spiritual journey, helping us to take our souls and get in touch with God, helping us to mature as individuals, as a species, and guiding us to a greater unity. It sounds amazing and maybe even far-fetched that a ceremony like this could have such an impact, but it does!

The concert is comprised of seven different parts. Classical Turkish music is played during the ceremony, and includes whirling dervishes as well as a sheikh who takes center stage as he praises the Prophet Mohammed.

Following a chant that begins the ceremony, a voice is heard that continues through all seven parts, helping the audience to better understand the message of the concert. The whirling dervishes open and close the ceremony, demonstrating the birth of humanity and its continual progress to today.

The ceremony was named the Best Authentic Local Event of 2010 by the Federation of Tourist Guides in Turkey, and is still something that captures the minds and attention of audiences even after 800 years.

This is an incredible show that anyone visiting Istanbul will want to spend time seeing, truly a site you will want to include as you make Istanbul your next vacation destination.

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