Mekhter Band from Iznik
Kadir Akҫaalan, President of the Iznik Cultural Association.
Mekhmet Küҫükҫakir, Janissaries Commander.
Omer Semiz, Music Director.
Founded in 2013, Mekhter Band from Iznik is one of the four Mekhter traditional military bands in Turkey that enjoy long and glorious history. The group features a group of musicians and a group of dancers that perform traditional janissaries’ dances.
The first Mekhter band was founded in the 13th centuries. Its task was to lift up the spirits of Ottoman warriors and scare their enemies at battles. Besides, Mekhter band is regarded the very first military band in history.
Mekhter may be translated either as a crescent (as it was the pattern formed by musicians) or the highest (this was the way to title all high rank officials).
The band used to play a very important role at the Sultan’s court both during military campaigns and in everyday life.
At the beginning of the 19th century Mekhter bands were abolished. New bands following European fashion were formed under the lead of Giuzeppe Donicetti, Italian composer and musician. But in the 20th century Turkey decided to go back to its origins and Turkish military music traditions.
In 2014 Mekhter Band from Iznik performed at the festival in the Belgian city of Arlon and at Berlin Military Tattoo.