CHOIR PRACTICE IN ANTALYA!!! (MUSIC NOURISHES THE SOUL)
In Antalya, the choir ensemble named THM and Folk Music Night, led by my dear friends Ali Gardaş and his wife Selma Gardaş, has returned to the stage after a long season break, starting their choir rehearsals on September 17, 2023. Comprised of elite artists who are passionate about music, the choir, under the direction of Ali Gardaş, captivated the audience while performing new pieces from their repertoire. They also made significant contributions to the world music culture. Therefore, inspired by the saying ‘Music is the nourishment of the soul,’ our ancestors used music to treat many illnesses. Music is not only nourishment for the soul but also a significant art form that motivates the heart. It can assist in the treatment and recovery of various illnesses, including expediting the healing process of heart conditions by normalizing heart rhythms and regulating blood pressure. Music, considered the best painkiller, plays a crucial role in alleviating and reducing pain.
Furthermore, according to scientists, music has a profound impact on the body’s value systems. Music also accelerates positive cultural change, guiding individuals toward new roles and lifestyles. As an important educational and communication tool, music significantly aids individuals in integrating into society. For example, although I may not understand the language of musicians such as Mita Hogue, Muhammed Milon from Bangladesh, Fakir Alemgir, Kanika Kapoor, Shreya Ghosal from India, Muhammed Reza and Kayhan Kalhor from Iran, and American musician Elvis Presley, listening to their music soothes my soul. In this regard, the need for government support for music is increasing day by day. Now, let’s list the quotes of famous figures, including Atatürk, about music:
Additionally, the quotes of Atatürk and other celebrities about music and art are quite meaningful: ‘A nation’s renewal is measured by its ability to accept change, including in music. A nation without art has severed one of its lifeblood vessels. The distinguished Turkish nation, which is an elevated community, also has a unique characteristic in history: its love for fine arts and its pursuit of excellence in them.’ -Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
- Music and rhythm find their way into the secret places of the soul. (Plato)
- Music is the most transparent language of emotions. (Emil Zeig)
- Music is the harmony between heaven and earth. (Confucius)
- When things go awry on the world stage, the orchestra comes into play. (Kari Kraus)
- If you want to enslave a nation, corrupt their music. (Confucius)
Music is very powerful, my young friends. It takes us to our memories, influences our mood, and determines our attitude towards the problems we encounter. (Sharon Draper)
Music rules the world. (Martin Luther)
Music is the paradise of the poor. (Emerson)
Music should enflame the hearts of men and bring tears to the eyes of women.
Music is such a vast sea that I have rolled up my pants, but I still haven’t entered it.
Music is the nourishment of the soul. (Mendelssohn)
Music is another planet. (Daudet)
On this occasion, it was up to me to perform an Azerbaijani Turkish song.”
I also wanted to share with you that.
Yahya Azeroğlu was born on October 24, 1955, as the second of nine siblings in the village of Yukarı Topraklı (Alkızıl) in the Aralık district of Iğdır, Turkey. He began his education in this region. In 1970, Yahya Azeroğlu and his family migrated to Turgutlu, a district in Manisa, Turkey. Afterward, he went to Germany, where he received two years of German language education. He returned to Turkey in 1984.Upon his return, Yahya Azeroğlu established the Poets and Writers Association and served as its president for 15 years. Within this framework, he continued to engage in cultural activities. He has published eight books and maintained close ties with the Turkic world. Yahya Azeroğlu has received around 105 awards for his cultural activities. He is a member of the Azerbaijan Writers Union and was honored with the Turan Medal in Kyrgyzstan. He has won numerous poetry competitions and was recognized as an Honorary Professor in Azerbaijan. His life and work have been the subject of theses by university students, including those from Celal Bayar University in Manisa and Akdeniz University.Yahya Azeroğlu, who has four children (two sons and two daughters), currently serves as the General President of the Turkish World Arts and Culture Center (Tüsküm), headquartered in Antalya, where he continues his cultural activities.