ERDEM PANCARCI & WORLD MUSIC INSTITUTE ORCHESTRA – MYTHOS OF AŞIK

In the organizer's words:

With Mythos of Aşık, multi-instrumentalist and producer Erdem Pancarci dedicates himself to one of Anatolia and Mesopotamia's oldest and at the same time most vibrant cultural narrative strands: the Asik tradition. This deeply rooted musical and poetic heritage - carried by wandering musicians, storytellers and spiritual seekers - is more than just a musical genre. It is a form of lived memory culture, a bridge between folk poetry, mysticism and social reality.

In his new release, Pancarci combines traditional instruments such as baglama and tembur with a contemporary sound that subtly integrates jazz, improvisational elements and global musical styles. The songs tell of love, longing, justice and spiritual devotion - themes that have characterized Asik culture for centuries and seem more relevant than ever today.

Mythos of Aşık is not a mere reproduction of folkloric forms, but an artistic exploration of a myth that has not lost its meaning over time. The album sees itself as a sonic mosaic - conscious of tradition, but not backward-looking; deeply rooted, but open to new contexts.

With this release, Pancarci invites us to rediscover the Asik not only as a musician, but also as a cultural carrier, chronicler and spiritual companion - in a time that is searching more than ever for connection, depth and authenticity.