“Vinyl Records in Kadıköy Turn in Memory of Barış Manço”

Kadıköy Record Days, Turkey’s most extensive analog music gathering, has begun in the garden of Kadıköy Municipality. In this year’s event organized for the seventh time by Kadıköy Municipality, vinyl records are turning in memory of Barış Manço. In addition to Istanbulites, vinyl enthusiasts from many cities in Turkey are showing strong interest in the event.

Once again this year, Kadıköy Municipality continues to bring together Istanbul’s most important record stores, collectors, and enthusiasts. This event, which takes place in the garden of Kadıköy Municipality’s central building in Hasanpapaşa and lasts for two days, features vinyl records dedicated to Barış Manço, one of the prominent figures in Anatolian rock music as a singer, composer, and lyricist. The event offers vinyl enthusiasts access to many old and new records, along with concerts, talks, autograph sessions, and DJ performances. The event, where 44 of Istanbul’s most important record shops have set up stands, is drawing the attention of citizens from various neighborhoods in Istanbul and other cities besides Kadıköy. Among those who visited the stands on the first day of the event were famous chef Somer Sivrioğlu, Murat Ertel, one of the founding members of Baba Zula, music writer and historian Murat Meriç, and many other notable figures.

During the first day of the event, the Kadıköy Municipality Children’s Art Center teachers and students also performed songs in memory of Barış Manço. Additionally, there was an exhibition featuring works created by 10 different illustrators, each inspired by Barış Manço’s songs. The “Nasıl Anlatsam Bilemiyorum” (I Don’t Know How to Explain) Barış Manço Exhibition will remain open for music lovers for two days.

While DJ performances continue on the final day of Kadıköy Record Days, the “Barış Manço 2023 Memorial Concert” featuring famous figures like Cahit Berkay, Emrah Karaca, and Deniz Tekin will take place at 8:00 PM. Kadıköy Record Days will be open for visitors on Saturdays and Sundays between 12:00 PM and 10:00 PM.

Odabaşı: Bridging the Past and the Future

Speaking at Kadıköy Record Days, Kadıköy Mayor Şerdil Dara Odabaşı said, “We present something new to the people of Kadıköy and Istanbul every day. This year, our theme is Barış Manço. This is our seventh edition, and each year, we organize record days in memory of an artist and based on their theme. Almost all of Istanbul’s record shops are here. We introduce vinyl records to both the younger generation and connect the past with the future, thanks to these events.”

Renowned chef Somer Sivrioğlu, who attended the record days, said, “I live in Kadıköy, and I have a passion for vinyl records. That’s why we came here when we heard about it. I collect jazz records. This event was organized in memory of our neighbor Barış Manço. Citizens should definitely come here. The weather is beautiful, and the atmosphere is great.”

Highlighting the importance of bringing record collectors and enthusiasts together, famous music writer and critic Murat Meriç said, “It is crucial that this event is held in memory of Barış Manço. Being here today in his memory is truly wonderful, as it gives our friends who collect and sell records from all over Turkey the opportunity to meet, even if only once a year.”

Murat Ertel, one of the founders of Zen and Babazula groups, signed the records of his concert “Zen Bakırköy Akıl Hastanesinde” (Zen at Bakırköy Mental Hospital) for the first time in Turkey at the 7th Kadıköy Record Days. Expressing his gratitude to Kadıköy Municipality for organizing the event in memory of Barış Manço, Ertel said, “In my opinion, Barış Manço and his friends, who created Anatolian pop or rock music in the 1960s, are never forgotten. Preserving and commemorating them is essential. I thank the municipality very much. Culture is long-term, so this should be repeated every year.”

Metin Karaman, the owner of the record store named Dönence (Carousel), which is named after one of Barış Manço’s beloved songs, said, “I am participating in the 7th Kadıköy Record Days for the second time. As you can tell from the name of my store, Dönence Plak, I named it this way because of my admiration for Barış Manço. Barış Manço represents a unique culture. We spent our childhood with him. It’s a great joy for us that this event is dedicated to Barış Manço’s name today. I congratulate Kadıköy Municipality.”