Yunus Emre Institute London

PORTRAIT OF A SACRED BEAUTY
Traditional Islamic Arts Exhibition

Join us for a special exhibition commemorating the 1500th anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) according to the Hijri calendar.

Curated by Nagihan Seymour, the exhibition brings together artists from the United Kingdom and Türkiye, celebrating centuries of spiritual devotion, artistic excellence, and cultural heritage through traditional Islamic arts.

Featuring works by Ahmet Sacit Açıkgözoğlu, Demet Tokbay, Dilara Karaağaç, Esma Ceylan, Gülcan Acar Başkan, Hanifi Dursun, Mustafa Cemil Efe, Nagihan Seymour, Naoki Yamamoto, Razwan Baig, Rizwan Khan, Safoh Al Mustafa, Sema Yurtseven, Sevim Çakır, Shanzay Baig, and Shazain Baig.

📅 24 June – 8 July 2026
📍 Yunus Emre Institute London, 10 Maple Street, W1T 5HA
🎉 Opening Reception: 24 June, 6:30 PM

Registration for the opening reception is mandatory. Entry will only be granted to registered guests.
🔗 Register via Eventbrite: https://PortraitofaSacredBeauty.eventbrite.co.uk

🎵 Special Programme | 30 June | 6:30PM
Ney Recital by Eray Cinpir followed by Artist Talks.

CulturalHeritage

Music Across Borders — Session V: The Caucasus

From the shadow of Kars Castle to the mountain villages of the Caucasus, join us for an evening of listening exploring the rich musical traditions of Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia.

Guided by Prof. Dr Mine Doğantan-Dack, this session journeys through the worlds of Âşıklık, Mugham, Georgian polyphony, folk dances, and shared cultural symbols that connect the peoples of the region.

Featuring music by Alim Qasimov, Rashid Behbudov, Zeyneb Khanlarova, Djivan Gasparyan, Selda Bağcan, Arif Sağ, Barış Manço, and many more.

A Listening Club shaped by music, memory, and the cultural ties that transcend borders.

📍 10 Maple Street W1T 5HA
📅 Friday, 26 June 2026
🕕 6:00 PM
🎟 Free, registration required
🔗 https://musicacrossborders.eventbrite.co.uk

🏛️ Who’s in the Museum? Identity, Belonging, and Migrant Meaning-Making in Turkish Museums
Join Semanur Darbaz (Nottingham Trent University) for the 41st session of our Young Scholar Seminar Series, exploring migration, identity, and belonging in Turkish museums, and how museums represent cultural diversity and how visitors with migrant backgrounds engage with these narratives.

Drawing on innovative participatory research methods, the seminar offers fresh perspectives on museums as spaces of inclusion, memory, and social imagination.

📅 Monday, 22 June 2026
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Yunus Emre Institute London, 10 Maple Street, W1T 5HA
🗣️ In English
🎟️ Free admission (registration required)
🔗https://youngscholar41.eventbrite.co.uk

🎹 Sweet Waters of Asia
Rüya Taner in Concert

Join internationally acclaimed pianist and Steinway Artist Rüya Taner for a musical journey along the Silk Road, exploring the rich sounds of Türkiye, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and beyond.

📍 St James’s Piccadilly, London
📅 Saturday, 13 June 2026
🕖 7:00 PM
🎟 https://ruyataner.eventbrite.co.uk

Book your tickets now and experience an unforgettable evening of music, culture, and connection.

The Sweet Waters of Asia concert is presented under the cultural partnership of the Yunus Emre Institute, with Bromcom as the main sponsor and supported by Tower Garments London and the Turkish Women’s Philanthropic Association. It is held under the auspices of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in London, in cooperation with the TRNC London Representative Office, and with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, Youth and Environment of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Economic and Commercial Counsellor’s Office of the Embassy of the Republic of Türkiye in Lefkoşa.