Cultural and Academic Collaboration through Music and Art: A Project between Marmara University and Chulalongkorn University

As part of the academic partnership between Marmara University and Chulalongkorn University, a significant international project titled “Folk Music Compilation Studies in Turkey from the Pre-Republican Era to the Present” was realized from November 9–16, 2024. This initiative aimed to lay the foundations of cultural and academic cooperation between Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Turkey through music and the arts.

Project Objective

The primary goal of the project was to present traditional folk music from Thailand, the UK, and Turkey through orchestral concerts, workshops, and panels. In doing so, the project also sought to foster collaborative opportunities in the fields of music and the arts among participating countries and institutions.

Project Highlights

Panel and Workshop

On Tuesday, November 12, a panel and a Turkish Folk Music workshop took place between 10:00–15:00.

• Panel: Titled “Folk Music Compilation Studies in Turkey from the Pre-Republican Era to the Present”, this session featured Mehmet Ali Özdemir and Sibel Çoban as speakers, who shared insights into the history and methodology of folk music compilation efforts in Turkey.
  
  
• Workshop: Following the panel, Mehmet Ali Özdemir led a hands-on workshop introducing Turkish folk music and traditional instruments to the participants.
  
  

Orchestral Concert

A culminating concert was held on Thursday, November 14 at 19:00 in the Chulalongkorn University Concert Hall. The program featured works by Thai, British, and Turkish composers.

• Highlights included:
  
  
  • Sibel Çoban performing as violinist in the orchestra.
    
    
  • Mehmet Ali Özdemir as soloist on the bağlama in the premiere performance of his symphonic work “Özgürlüğe Yürüyüş” (March to Freedom).
    
    
  • A trio performance of arranged Turkish folk music featuring bağlama, ıklığ, violin, and piano, alongside solo and duet interpretations.
    
    

Concert Attendees

The concert drew significant attention and participation from:

• E. Serap Ersoy, Ambassador of Turkey to Thailand, and her spouse,
  
  
• The Thai Military Attaché and embassy staff,
  
  
• Rectors and Vice Rectors of Chulalongkorn University,
  
  
• Faculty members from the Music and Music Education Departments,
  
  
• As well as numerous invited guests and music lovers.
  
  

This successful and well-attended event sparked discussions on expanding international cooperation and developing new projects.

Project Team

• John Tasker – Project Initiator and Orchestra Conductor
  
  
• Dr. Erhan Doğan – Marmara University, Turkey
  
  
• Dr. Sibel Çoban – Marmara University, Turkey
  
  
• Jirayudh Sinthuphan – Institute of Asian Studies, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
  
  
• Prof. Boonrut Sirirattanapan – Rangsit University, Thailand