Echoing Travelogues: The Beyond and Us Celebrates Acclaimed UK Premiere in London.Organised by Yunus Emre Institute in London, Echoing Travelogues: The Beyond and Us received an enthusiastic response from audiences at its UK premiere on Friday, 12 June at the historic Tabernacle in Notting Hill. Bringing together Ottoman and European musical traditions through an innovative interdisciplinary performance, the production was met with great appreciation by attendees.
Combining music, storytelling, historical research, visual design, and 4D spatial sound technology, the production was presented in the United Kingdom for the first time, making a notable contribution to London's vibrant cultural landscape.
The internationally acclaimed project brought together the renowned Dareyn Ensemble and Dutch ensemble Holland Baroque on the same stage. Inspired by travel narratives, cultural encounters, and artistic exchanges between the fifteenth and eighteenth centuries, the performance reinterpreted historical memory through a contemporary artistic lens.
Led by internationally recognised Istanbul kemençe performer and artistic director Emine Bostancı, the production explored historical journeys between the Ottoman world and Europe through sound, narration, and immersive visual environments. The project was developed by an international creative team including Dr Zeynep Yıldız Abbasoğlu as Research Director, Joris Takken as Sound Designer, and Ataman Girişken as Video Designer.
The work draws inspiration from the accounts of diplomats, travellers, and musicians who observed both the Ottoman world and Europe during the seventeenth century. Drawing on the travel writings and observations of historical figures such as Levinus Warner, the Dutch Republic’s ambassador to Istanbul, the renowned Ottoman traveller Evliya Çelebi, and the musician and collector Ali Ufki (Wojciech Bobowski), the production examines how cultures define themselves through encounters with “the other.”
The performance featured Emine Bostancı (Istanbul kemençe), Zeynep Yıldız Abbasoğlu (kanun), Judith Steenbrink(Baroque violin), Tineke Steenbrink (positive organ), Vinsent Planjer (percussion), and Nora Fischer as narrator. Together, the artists built bridges between Ottoman court music, Mevlevi musical traditions, and the European Baroque repertoire, revealing centuries of shared musical exchange and influence.
One of the most distinctive elements of the concert was its innovative stage design, which reimagined historical spaces through contemporary technology. Inspired by iconic locations such as Hagia Sophia, Topkapı Palace, Mevlevi lodges, and St Stephen’s Cathedral, the production’s sound and visual design transported audiences on a multi-layered journey through historical memory and shared cultural heritage. The use of 4D spatial sound technology was particularly praised for creating a deeply immersive experience.
Marking a significant milestone with its UK premiere, Echoing Travelogues: The Beyond and Us brought together audiences from diverse cultural backgrounds in a shared artistic experience, contributing to intercultural dialogue in London. The event was attended by Dr Mehmet Karakuş, Director of the Yunus Emre Institute in London, Ambassador Hasan Ulusoy, Consul General of the Republic of Türkiye in London, as well as numerous distinguished guests from the fields of arts, academia, and diplomacy.
At the conclusion of the performance, the artists received a prolonged standing ovation, while audience members praised the production for its musical excellence, innovative artistic approach, and cultural depth.
Through this landmark event, Yunus Emre Institute once again fulfilled its mission of introducing Türkiye’s cultural heritage to international audiences through contemporary artistic productions and fostering greater intercultural understanding.