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In a groundbreaking cultural exchange, the closing event of Rome’s “Musica in Venere” concert series will feature a traditional Turkish Mevlevi Sema ceremony inside the iconic Colosseum on June 25. This marks the first time the 2,000-year-old amphitheater will host a spiritual performance rooted in Anatolia’s Sufi tradition.
The event is being organized through a collaboration between Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Italy’s Ministry of Culture. The performance will present Turkish Sufi music alongside the whirling ceremony of the Mevlevi order, offering audiences an experience shaped by the universal messages of Rumi, the 13th-century mystic poet and philosopher.
On stage, the Konya Metropolitan Municipality Turkish Sufi Music and Whirling Dervishes Ensemble will appear with a 30-member group. For approximately one hour, the performance will reinterpret Rumi’s teachings through art and motion.
This event stands out in the “Musica in Venere” series as it includes a Sema ritual for the first time, signaling a significant moment in the history of the concert series and the Colosseum itself.
Known as one of the most visited historic landmarks in the world, the Colosseum will host this spiritual performance at the invitation of Italy’s Ministry of Culture and the Colosseum Archaeological Park. The occasion reflects growing international recognition of Türkiye’s cultural heritage and is expected to transmit a timeless message of peace, love, and tolerance from the heart of Rome.
The initiative follows a recent exhibition titled “Gobeklitepe: The Mystery of a Sacred Place”, which also took place at the Colosseum and drew wide international interest. Organizers hope the Sema ceremony will further elevate global awareness and appreciation of Anatolian spiritual heritage.
As part of the cultural program, the Yunus Emre Institute in Rome will host a symposium titled “Mysticism: A Bridge Between East and West” on June 24. The event will explore the philosophical, literary, and aesthetic dimensions of Sufism, with contributions from various experts.
Also on June 24, the institute will open an exhibition titled “Journey into the Secret: The Wisdom of Letters”, which will display 22 works by calligraphers Abdurrahim Kahya and Seyit Ahmet Depeler. The exhibition will visually complement the mystical themes explored throughout the week.
The series of events in Rome will be attended by high-level officials, including Türkiye’s Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Gokhan Yazgi, Yunus Emre Institute President Abdurrahman Aliy, Konya Metropolitan Mayor Ugur Ibrahim Altay, Türkiye’s Ambassador to Rome Elif Comoglu Ulgen, and senior Italian representatives.
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