Proud to be the first designated Creative City of Music in Turkey, the city of Kırşehir has long been a cradle of innovative musical talent and is often considered as the keystone of Turkish folk music. 

From 7-8 July 2021, Kırşehir Municipality, hosted the National Music Workshop, in collaboration with Ahi Evran University Fine Arts Faculty, Kırşehir Culture and Tourism Directorate, Kırşehir City Council, Non-Governmental Organizations and Neset Ertas Fine Arts High School. With a view to preserving, promoting and nurturing creative talent, particularly with regards to identifying potential in young musicians, this workshop, comprising concerts, discussions and presentations, by both academics in the field and music masters, laid the groundwork for the remodelling of Kırşehir’s folk music scene. 

The workshop explored the current situation and the future development of traditional music from teaching methodology and youth engagement to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  It also contributed to examining how best to provide essential funding, performance opportunities and national recognition for artists through annual competitions at both the local and national level, as well as through academic promotion and study. 

Within the scope of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, through this event, Kırşehir aimed to ensure cultural exchange through the development of national and international collaboration between cities in the creative field of Music.