Crowded Prayer / Kalabalık Fasıl

It is about a man who believes that Istanbul is a cursed city—one where people are unable to recognize the hidden mark on their foreheads. Motivated by this idea, he shares his fantastic journey through the city to help others uncover their own secrets. As the audience listens to his curious anecdotes about Istanbul, they are also invited to reflect on the character's existential struggles, which subtly mirror their own.

„Kalabalık Fasıl*“ is a reinterpretation of the play with classical Turkish music accompanied by live musicians on stage. As the character attempts to unravel a personal mystery, the ensemble of musicians plays the music of Istanbul—expressing both the harmony in chaos and the chaos in harmony with authentic sounds. Each song opens a door to the character's inner world and memories of the city. The play thus becomes a multi-layered experience, not only theatrical but also musical; the audience witnesses both a story and a traditional musical gathering.

*Fasıl: This is a traditional form of musical suite in classical Turkish music, consisting of a sequence of instrumental and vocal pieces performed in a specific order and according to a specific mode (makam). It is usually played by a small ensemble and often includes improvisations (taksim), rhythmic vocal pieces, and well-known songs.

Funded by the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia.