Festival to commemorate Hungarian composer

The Hacettepe University International Bartok Music Festival and Symposium will be held between April 24 and 30 in Ankara.

World-famous Hungarian composer Bela Bartok was one of the most important composers of the 20th century. He was also an important musical figure in Turkey, well known for his collaborations with Turkish composer Ahmet Adnan Saygun and the research he conducted into Turkish folk music. Together, they tried to bring the hidden gems of Anatolian folk music to the surface.

He helped start the Turkish Folk Music Archive at Ankara State Conservatory and his studies in Anatolia, titled "Turkish Music from Asia Minor," were published in 1976 by the Hungarian Science Academy.

The event will be held by the Hacettepe University Ankara State Conservatory to commemorate the artist on the 70th anniversary of his death.

"This important event will enrich the musical scene in Ankara and help improve greatly the cultural ties between Hungary and Turkey. With so many world-renowned artists and scholars planning to come and participate, It will create a priceless learning environment for our students and create opportunities for our faculty members to collaborate, exchange ideas and create new ties with the international musical scene," said the head and artistic director of the festival, Professor Ye?im Alkaya, on the website of the festival, which will feature orchestra concerts, recitals and modern dance shows.
For further information, please visit www.bartokfestival.hacettepe.edu.tr