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Semah Performances

Semah is an integral part of the Cem ceremony, which is an Alevi-Bektashi worship performance. At a certain stage of the Cem ceremony, the Alevi imam (dede) initiates Semah with a sign. The context of the ritual consists of male and female souls rotating with the love of God accompanied by the music of bağlama. Semah performance is one of the 12 services carried out during the Cem ceremony.

The movements during the Semah performance have different meanings. The movements have different symbolic meanings such as flying in the sky, spinning like the rotation of the universe, wing flapping like cranes, receiving from God and providing to the people, and sharing.

Minstrel's Duets

It is the reciprocal poetry of the minstrels in folk literature. At least two minstrels compete in poetry on their own or in front of experts and an audience within the framework of certain rules. They have a go at each other, and try to stand out with their skill.

Sema Performance

Sema performance is known as the most mystical dance in the world, created, and developed under the inspiration of Mevlana (1207-1273). Sema was taught by Shams-i Tabrizi to Mevlana. In fact, it is a rite comprised of a recitation of the attributes of God of the Mevlevi dervishes when observed in detail. It can be summarized as a ritual that the dervishes perform by spreading their arms to both sides, taking their right palm to the sky, and the left palm to the earth, symbolizing receiving from God and distributing to the people, accompanied by instruments such as Ney. Here, music is an instrument that helps to meditate.

Sivas Folk Dances

The second-largest province of Türkiye, Sivas, is a land of Anatolian folk dance (halay). There are parallels between the Sivas halay, which has many and different figures, and the characteristics of its people. In the figures, the characteristics of the plateau atmosphere and the culture formed accordingly are demonstrated. Sivas halay starts with slower moves and accelerates towards the end. Sivas halay generally consists of four parts, namely "ağırlama, yanlama, yeldirme and sekme", and each part has its own tune. Both men and women join these halays.

Festival of Minstrels

Sivas Festival of Minstrels was first held between 5 and 7 November 1931. The famous minstrel, Âşık Veysel, also attended this minstrel festival and made his name heard throughout the country. Since then, the festival has continued to be organized every year.

Sivas Festival of Brotherhood

It is Anatolian Brotherhood, which is the expression of the Anatolian wisdom in one word, created with the experience of a thousand years of lifestyle in Sivas. Inspired by the word "Brother", which is frequently used in the province, the Festival of Brotherhood was organized for the first time in 2019.

With the aim of making the festival traditional, the participation of artists, business people, athletes, literati, and everyone who feel that they are from Sivas is addressed. This festival ensures that everyone feeling that they are from Sivas met not only in the virtual world but also actively and physically in Sivas.

Kangal Dog

Kangal Dogs, which you can visit at the Kangal Dog Breeding, Training, and Protection Center on the Sivas Airport road, are among the most important symbols of the city. Their reputation has spread around the world.