Whirling dervishes from Konya, Türkiye, will take to the stage at London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre on Monday 23 November 2026, presenting a centuries-old spiritual ceremony accompanied by live Turkish Sufi music.
Presented by Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – London, in collaboration with Konya Metropolitan Municipality and with the support of Turkish Airlines, Rhythms of the Divine: Mevlevi Sema Ceremony and Turkish Sufi Music Concert will introduce London audiences to one of Türkiye’s most distinctive living cultural traditions, recognised by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Performed by the Konya Metropolitan Municipality Turkish Sufi Music and Sema Ensemble, the evening will begin at 7 pm with a concert featuring traditional Turkish Sufi music. Following an interval, the ensemble’s whirling dervishes, known as semazens, will perform the Mevlevi Sema Ceremony, accompanied by musicians, vocalists and sacred recitation.
Rooted in the teachings of Rumi, the celebrated 13th-century poet and Sufi mystic, the ceremony brings together music, poetry and ceremonial turning in an expression of spiritual devotion.
Beyond the Whirling: The Spiritual Heritage of Rumi
The Mevlevi tradition developed in Konya, a city in central Türkiye where Rumi, also known as Mevlânâ, spent much of his life. Founded upon his teachings, the tradition has shaped the region’s spiritual, musical and artistic heritage for more than seven centuries.
Although best known internationally for the distinctive turning movements of the whirling dervishes, the Sema Ceremony is much more than a visual spectacle. It is a structured spiritual practice within the Sufi tradition of Islam, in which each movement, gesture and musical element carries symbolic meaning.
The ceremonial turning represents the human spiritual journey towards divine love and closeness to God. Music is central to this experience, with the sound of the ney (reed flute), the rhythmic accompaniment of the kudüm (small kettledrums), vocal compositions and recitation forming an integral part of the ceremony.
The Mevlevi Sema Ceremony was proclaimed a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2005 and inscribed on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008.
The performance at Sadler’s Wells, one of London’s leading international performing arts venues, will offer audiences an opportunity to encounter this living tradition in its wider historical, musical and spiritual context.
Bringing the ceremony from Konya, its historical home, to the London stage also reflects the enduring international appeal of Rumi’s teachings and the continued relevance of the artistic and spiritual traditions they inspired.
Karakuş: “Preserving the Historical, Artistic and Spiritual Foundations of Sema Is Essential”
Dr Mehmet Karakuş, Director of Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – London, highlighted the importance of presenting the ceremony in a way that respects its origins and spiritual significance.
“Bringing the Mevlevi Sema Ceremony to Sadler’s Wells, one of the world’s leading performing arts venues, is particularly meaningful to us. Sema is much more than music and movement. It is an expression of a deeply rooted spiritual and intellectual tradition. We want audiences in London to appreciate not only what they see on stage, but also the history and spiritual meaning behind the ceremony.
“Through this performance by our ensemble from Konya, we hope to introduce Rumi’s teachings and the rich heritage of Turkish Sufi music to people from different cultural backgrounds. Above all, we want to draw attention to the authenticity and spiritual depth of this tradition and encourage a greater understanding of the principles and values that have sustained it for centuries. Preserving its historical foundations and meaning is essential if this heritage is to be passed on to future generations.”
A Centuries-Old Tradition from Konya
The Konya Metropolitan Municipality Turkish Sufi Music and Sema Ensemble is based in the city most closely associated with Rumi and the Mevlevi tradition.
Bringing together musicians, vocalists and whirling dervishes, the ensemble is dedicated to preserving the traditional musical repertoire and ceremonial practices of the Mevlevi order.
Its performances combine classical Turkish Sufi music with the Sema Ceremony, maintaining the established musical and ceremonial structure of a tradition handed down through generations.
The London performance forms part of ongoing efforts to share Türkiye’s cultural heritage with international audiences and strengthen cultural exchange between Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
Event Information
Event: Rhythms of the Divine: Mevlevi Sema Ceremony and Turkish Sufi Music Concert
Date: Monday 23 November 2026
Time: 7 pm
Venue: Sadler’s Wells Theatre
Address: Rosebery Avenue, London EC1R 4TN
Performed by: Konya Metropolitan Municipality Turkish Sufi Music and Sema Ensemble
Running time: 1 hour 40 minutes, including a 20-minute interval
Tickets: From £15, plus a £4 transaction fee
Booking: https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/mevlevi-sema-ceremony-and-turkish-sufi-music-concert/
Age guidance: Ages 6 and over. Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Presented by Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – London, in collaboration with Konya Metropolitan Municipality, and with the support of Turkish Airlines.
About Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – London
Established in 2010, Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – London promotes Turkish language, arts and culture across the United Kingdom. Based in Fitzrovia, central London, the Institute offers a year-round programme of exhibitions, concerts, talks, workshops and educational activities, bringing together Türkiye’s rich cultural heritage and contemporary artistic practices.
Through partnerships with cultural institutions, artists and educators, the Institute supports artistic exchange and strengthens cultural connections between Türkiye and the United Kingdom.
