Nublu presents ISTANBUL SESSIONS live & DJ ECE ÖZEL

A music festival does not take place in a vacuum. If the festival program is curated in an informed and committed manner, visitors not only have the opportunity to be presented with musical discoveries or even current developments at an early stage. In the best case scenario, a socio-political attitude, a signature, an ethos also manifests itself in the festival program over the years. For example, a trust in a culture of dialog, of mutual appreciation, which advocates the equal participation of all people in this culture. This applies in good times, in times of change, but especially in politically difficult times! When saxophonist Ilhan Ersahin, who lives in New York, was born in Sweden and comes from Turkey, first presented his Istanbul Sessions project at Enjoy Jazz in 2011, the program booklet spoke of the vibrant metropolis on the Bosporus, where new intercultural music is constantly being created. When Ersahin opened the festival in 2016 as "special guest" of the Lebanese band Mashrou' Leila, we read about the Arab Spring, self-determined sexuality, religious freedom and political rebellion, the right to party and stubbornness. Today, our view of the metropolis on the Bosporos has changed dramatically and we must fear for freedom and tolerance. What artistic response will Ilhan Ersahin's Istanbul Sessions offer to this development?