Call for applications: Children refugees festival in Turkey

Flying Carpet is a volunteer-based collective of musicians, artists and visionaries that invites international artists to perform and conduct workshops for Syrian, Iraqi, Kurdish and Turkish children who are affected and traumatised by the Syrian Civil War.

The festival is organised by Müzikhane, a social music school based in Mardin Province. The institution uses music and art to educate children refugees through workshops conducted by artists, musicians and visionaries from all over the world.

Since the beginning of the Syrian war eight years ago, more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees have found their way into Turkey. According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, 1 000 new refugees enter Turkey each day, primarily through Mardin Province.

“Children are the most vulnerable and struggle to find meaning in their new lives in a world that adults have created around them,” the Müzikhane website reads.

“We teach them to express themselves through music and positive social interaction rather than through violence and revenge. We also emphasise the social aspects of music as collaboration and adherence to structure guides them toward healthy social skills.”

Last year, 1 500 children took part in 150 workshops conducted by 30 artists. The festival also held eight live music performances, five jam sessions and three puppet shows.

Interested individuals can complete the online application form here.