Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Serra Bucak met with frame drum (erbane) artists from Iran who came to participate in the Voice of the Daf Workshop. The artists presented an old daf to Co-Mayor Bucak to be placed in Diyarbakır Museum.

Co-Mayor Bucak came together with Iranian frame drum artists at İskenderpaşa Mansion as part of the Voice of the Daf Workshop, organised in cooperation with the Department of Culture and Social Affairs and the Mordem Art and Ecological Life Association. The event was attended by Co-Mayor Bucak, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar, district municipality co-mayors, Head of the Department of Culture and Social Affairs Zeynep Yaş, the artists from Iran, and council members.

Co-Mayor Bucak spoke with the artists and received information about their work.

Old frame drum handed over for the museum

During the event, artist Alîreza Xewsî presented a historic daf (percussion instrument), preserved from very ancient times, to Co-Mayor Bucak to be placed in Diyarbakır Museum.

Co-Mayor Bucak: We are very proud that the daf (percussion instrument) will remain here

Speaking at the event, Co-Mayor Bucak expressed her satisfaction at receiving the daf from artist Alîreza Xewsî, saying:

“This event is very important for Diyarbakır, for the people of Diyarbakır, and especially very special for us. We are very happy that you are here today, this evening. Your efforts are very valuable. Thank you for your work. We are very proud that this gift will remain here. Many thanks.”

Xewsî: The daf carries great meaning

Frame drum artist Alîreza Xewsî, in turn, pointed out that the daf carried great meaning for him, saying:

“This daf is very old, very precious to me, like a companion — I carry it with me wherever I go. Upon the request of Şoreş Namlı, we wanted to give it to the Diyarbakır Museum. Especially so that it may create a connection between Sorani speakers and Kurmanci speakers. Our community should also benefit from it. As is known, the daf is sacred for them, a special family instrument. Our aim is that this value be gifted in memory of the city of Diyarbakır. The Tehran Museum requested my daf and belongings, but I did not give them; I wanted to present it to the Diyarbakır Museum.”

The event ended with a live performance.