I am very interested in seeing a performance of the Whirling Dervish ... We will be in Istanbul July 14th ... any information that you provide would be greatly appreciated. <BR>Tilda <BR>LA <BR> <BR>

Has anyone seen this performance in Istanbul? I got in touch with the Turkish arts center and they said that it was on Monday nights(usually no-Muslims cannot go) but that they would take us for $25.00 apiece which would include guide and transportation. Any thoughts or experiences?Thanks-

I'm interested in the Whirling Dervishes too! Can anyone give ANY information or opinions???

We saw them at the manlevi monestary in Sept 99. It was truly the highlight of the trip. My suggestion is to get their early for a seat as it is in the round; there are no bad seats.

The Lonely Planet Guide lists the Malevi museum in Istanbul as having whirling dervishes perform last Sunday of the month. I'm not sure of the spelling of the name of the museum.

Galata Mevlevihanesi. <BR>Whenever you come into Istanbul, buy a Time Out (It is a guide for Istanbul),YOu will see all addresses,especially for whirling derwishes,there is a place in Galate. There is a tower called by Galata Tower that You can easily find. Every sunday f last week of a month, there is a perfonmace I guess,But I don't know exactly. I want to see them as a muslim,too. It is a different view of old times. So I guess you will find it phantastic. Whenever I have more information,I ll write again. <BR>take care <BR>

Hi<BR>Last year we have been in Istanbul and We have been in monastery.<BR>Here is Turkish arts center web site .Check out<BR><BR>http://www.lesartsturcs.com/whirling_dervishes/index.html<BR>Praha<BR>

What is a whirling dervish? I am off to Istanbul next week. Is is a must see?

Kim, haven't you seen the cartoons? Just kidding, but I thought that I'd top this for you since your time is short before you leave. <BR>Regards <BR>Art <BR>

I think Kim already asked the question, but I'll ask again...what are the Whirline dervishes??? <BR> <BR>I will be there in August, 2001. My 1st trip to Europe. Originally I hadn't planned or even thought on visiting Turkey, but I think we are headed that way!!!

Here are a couple web sites with info. When I visit Istanbul (hopefully next year) I plan to see a Whirling Dervish ceremony - they plan an intrinsic part of Ottoman culture <BR> <BR>http://www.webcom.com/threshld/society/reviews.html <BR> <BR>http://www.dankphotos.com/whirling/ <BR> <BR>http://planetexplorer.online.discove...ltdervish.html <BR> <BR>"....Dervish literally means "doorway" and is thought to be an entrance from this material world to the spiritual, heavenly world. During this solemn religious ceremony it is believed that the power of the Heavens enters into the upward extended right palm and passes through the body and leaves the lower, turned-down left palm to then enter into the Earth. The dervish does not retain the power nor is he to direct it. He accepts that he is the true instrument of God and therefore he does not question the power that comes and leaves him......"

Sorry - meant to say: They played and intrinsic part in the development of Ottoman culture

Mark, thank you so much for the URL's. I followed the connections and I was able to fill in some of the gaps of my knowledge of the Ottoman Empire. Again Thank you. <BR>Art <BR>