Mystical tale of union and separation to take stage in Istanbul

ISTANBUL

An original musical narrative exploring the profound bond between Mevlana Jalaleddin Rumi and Shams-i Tabrizi is set to premiere in Istanbul, inviting audiences on a poetic and spiritual journey across cultures.

Created and staged by Iranian writer and sociologist Shahzadeh Nilecem Igual, “One Thousand Nights in a Night: One Thousand Shams, One Jalaleddin” (Bir Gecede Binbir Gece: Bin Şems Bir Celaleddin) will be performed on May 7 at the Kozzy Gönül Ülkü and Gazanfer Özcan Stage inside the Kadıköy Municipality Cultural Center.

Blending Iran’s UNESCO-recognized Naqqāli storytelling tradition with a contemporary stage aesthetic, the performance centers on the mystical love between Shams and Rumi, a connection that ultimately leads to loss and mourning. Through a delicate cultural bridge between two civilizations, the audience is invited to experience a narrative of encounter, separation and transformation.

Igual, who carefully selected and translated Rumi’s works into Turkish, performs excerpts in both Turkish and Persian, turning the story into a layered, almost dreamlike tale. Describing the narrative as “a thousand Shams born in the heart of one Jalaleddin in one of a thousand nights,” the artist reflects a unique literary voice shaped by a life between languages and cultures.

Speaking about the work, Igual said: “I do not interpret ‘One Thousand Shams, One Jalaleddin’ merely as a stage performance. For me, it is the poetic expression of love, truth and the inner journey of the human soul. In this piece, I reimagined the timeless encounter between Rumi and Shams with a contemporary language. I invite the audience not only to watch, but to feel, to reflect and to discover the hidden light within their hearts. In every scene, love, mystery and transformation breathe.”

The production brings together an accomplished ensemble of musicians, led by pianist Orkun Zafer Ozgelen as music director, with vocals by Reza Asgari. The instrumentation includes kamancheh by Cicek Tebrizi, oud by Berkay Bakkal, tombak by Artin Khodaverdi, erbane by Murat Gurgen and qanun by Onur Cicin.

Together, they merge traditional sounds with modern tones, enriching the narrative’s emotional depth and evoking the spiritual world of Shams and Rumi. The musical structure draws inspiration from Rumi’s call, “Play gently, musician, so the soul may descend into the body,” reinforcing the performance’s poetic atmosphere.

Since its premiere in 2018, the production has evolved continuously, taking on new thematic layers with each staging. Initially inspired by a wide literary spectrum ranging from Ferdowsi’s “Shahnameh” to the quatrains of Omar Khayyam, as well as works by Hafez and Forough Farrokhzad, the performance has gradually refined its focus.