February 2027 · Caddebostan Cultural Centre, Istanbul
One day, one stage, every shade of rhythm. Percussionists, young talents, school ensembles and master guests meet on the CKM Main Stage in Istanbul. Apply to perform; watching is open to everyone and free.
Date
A Sunday in February 2027
The festival day is being finalised with CKM; applicants are notified by e-mail once the date is announced. Follow Instagram for the calendar.
Programme
The day opens with a talk, continues with stage performances and workshops, and closes with the guests of honour's special concert. Section times are announced in January.
An open conversation with Engin Gürkey and Jülide Özçelik on rhythm, voice, the stage and a life in music.
Solo and ensemble performances; each solo is 3 minutes. 27 performances took the stage in 2026.
Hands-on sessions in small groups, including the guest artist's workshop. Instruments are on stage.
Fifteen finalists in five categories perform live before the jury chaired by Engin Gürkey.
Guests of honour Engin Gürkey and Jülide Özçelik on stage with the festival's percussionists.
Guests of honour
Both join the Opening Talk and the Special Concert; Engin Gürkey also leads a workshop and chairs the competition jury.
Guest of honour · Jury chair · Percussionist, educator, composer
Born in Istanbul in 1967. Graduated from Istanbul University State Conservatory in 1992 and joined its faculty the same year; founding instructor of the percussion departments at ITU MIAM and Maltepe University. Founder of the Istanbul Percussion Ensemble, Turkey's first all-female percussion group "Zilli" and the Istanbul Rhythm Theatre; designer of the patented "Perküstrüman" instrument. Albums "World of Percussion", "Güldede" and "Balkanist"; presenter of the TRT series "Müziğin Binbir Dili" and "Hemhal". He returns to the festival after the 1st Meetings.
Opening Talk · Workshop · Jury Chair · Special Concert
Guest of honour · Jazz vocalist
Born in Istanbul in 1975. Began her studies at the Müjdat Gezen Arts Centre and won a full scholarship to Istanbul Bilgi University's music department, where she studied voice with Nükhet Ruacan. One of the pioneering voices of Turkish-language jazz: her debut "Jazz İstanbul Volume 1" (2008) was recorded with Cem Tuncer, Erbil Doğan, Kağan Yıldız, Ediz Hafızoğlu and Genco Arı. Live recordings with the TRT Light Music and Jazz Orchestra; soloist of the Istanbul 12 Orchestra. She joins the Opening Talk and shares the stage with the festival's percussionists at the Special Concert.
Opening Talk · Special ConcertJoin the festival
Three ways to be part of the festival; admission for the audience is free.
Last year
The first festival took place in June 2026 in CKM Hall A: 27 performances, solos and ensembles, Engin Gürkey as guest, and a finale that filled the stage. In its second year the festival moves to the big hall, the CKM Main Stage, and adds the competition and workshops to the programme.
Partners
Message us on WhatsApp and we reply the same day. Separate programmes are prepared for school and institution groups.
Percussion Meetings