Each December 17th, Turkey, and in particular, the city of Konya, celebrates the life and teachings of the Sufi philospher, Rumi.
Sema in Konya
For a concise profile of this ecumenical thinker and founder of the Mevlevi order, best known for the Whirling Dervishes, please see:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/art/rumi_1.shtml
and
http://www.unesco.org/culture/intangible-heritage/39eur_uk.htm
Explanations of Mevlevi music and the sema, the dervishes’ transcendent ritual dance are also included.