Sold-out third edition of Turkish festival Merhaba Eindhoven

In the afternoon, visitors could enjoy free entry to the Bazaar. Right at the entrance, you were greeted by Ali the ice cream man. A customer opted for chocolate flavour—no problem for Ali! With a long ice cream scoop, he skilfully placed a scoop onto the cone and teasingly held it out to the customer. Every time the man tried to grab the cone, ‘Ice Cream Ali’ nimbly flipped the scoop around. When the customer finally managed to grab the cone, he discovered he was only holding the cone—the ice cream was still stuck to the scoop! This was just one example of the ice cream man’s quick reflexes, which had the crowd laughing in no time. And anyone who thought they couldn’t be tricked by this joker was in for a surprise—you definitely didn’t get your ice cream without some fun!

Music

Of course, music couldn’t be missing—it is, after all, Muziekgebouw Eindhoven! The Harmony Turkish Music Choir performed in the well-filled Kleine Zaal, where many in the audience couldn’t resist the urge to sing and dance along. The same lively atmosphere was felt in M, where the bands Rastika and Pötibör, as well as the duo Şeniz Duru-Koevoets (piano) and Başak Ersöz (flute), showcased a wide range of Turkish music. Outside, curious passers-by peered through the windows, hoping to catch a glimpse of the magic unfolding inside.

More music could be heard in the Tweede Foyer, including an impressive bellydance performance by Joydance Lab. Participants from the Turkish folk dance workshop also showcased what they had learned. “Seeing this makes me regret not joining in,” said Dutch visitor Isolde to her Turkish friend Selin. Still, they had little to complain about, as they were happily enjoying Turkish stuffed vine leaves. For Isolde, it was her first time trying them, but luckily—they were a hit. “I think I’ll go get some more in a bit!”

“Everyone understands each other”

Selin, who lives in Deventer, attended Merhaba Eindhoven for the first time last year. “I immediately felt at home. I don’t know anyone in Eindhoven, but it still feels like being with family. Everyone understands each other—how we live, what our culture is.” This year, she managed to convince her Dutch friend Isolde to join her. “I don’t actually know much about Turkish culture,” Isolde admitted somewhat sheepishly. “So, I had to come along—we’ve been friends for so long.” And it turned out to be a brilliant move by Selin. “Actually, it would be fantastic if everyone visited Merhaba at least once. It would contribute so much to mutual understanding and connection.”

The Bazaar offered a vibrant introduction to Turkish culture. Visitors could explore a wide array of products and services, including handcrafted tiles, Turkish-language children’s books, and festive decorations. Craft enthusiasts also had the opportunity to join workshops such as ceramic painting or ebru art, a traditional technique renowned for its marbled patterns.

maNga

And then came the evening! maNga gained international fame when they placed second at the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest with We Could Be The Same. Following in the footsteps of Sertab Erener and Mabel Matiz, they were a well-deserved headliner for the festival. And it showed—the first fans were already lining up hours before the doors of Muziekgebouw Eindhoven opened, eager to secure the best spots close to the stage. The audience in the grand Hertog Jan Zaal was warmed up by DJ Blue Flamingo, who, just like in the two previous editions, was back to set the tone for the night.

At nine o’clock, the lights dimmed. From the very first notes of the music, the audience erupted with excitement. It quickly became clear that the members of maNga were in top form, launching into their opening song with boundless energy. And the crowd? They sang along at the top of their lungs—with every single song, no less. Celebrating twenty years as a band, maNga’s performance was a testament to their enduring appeal. Their repertoire masterfully took the audience on a journey through rock, metal, and hip-hop. Perhaps the best comparison would be to call them the Turkish equivalent of Linkin Park, though even that doesn’t quite capture maNga’s distinctive style.

And then, the grand finale. A jubilant crowd erupted into applause and cheers, which grew even louder—especially near the front of the stage—when the band threw items like frontman Ferman Akgül’s cap and drummer Özgür Can Öney’s drumsticks into the audience. Handwritten cardboard signs brought by fans were picked up by the singer during the concert, and now the reason was clear: they were returned, signed and ready to be cherished as special souvenirs.

Afterparty

But it was far from time to head home. Many visitors made their way straight to the foyer for the concert by Music from the Orient. This Turkish band has firmly established itself as a staple at Muziekgebouw Eindhoven, performing several sold-out shows in M each year. The band members have an exceptional ability to elevate the atmosphere to even greater heights, whether with a Turkish rendition of I Will Survive or the Bella Ciao hit from La Casa de Papel.

But DJ Blue Flamingo also kept the energy alive during the afterparty in M, just as he had done earlier in the evening. It was a perfect musical finale to an incredibly successful edition of Merhaba Eindhoven!

Merhaba Eindhoven was made possible thanks to the support of Eindhoven Airport, Brainport Eindhoven, the Turkish Professionals Network Eindhoven, Stichting Ik Wil, Mystiek Productions, and Music from the Orient. The festival is part of the Your World, Your Music concept, where Muziekgebouw Eindhoven symbolically hands over the keys of the venue to local communities for one day each year to celebrate their culture. In doing so, Muziekgebouw Eindhoven truly becomes a place where everyone can feel at home.