Mustafa Ozden2020 Halayв©erzurum Halaylari -

A young man named , his name a title of honor in these mountains, adjusts his traditional vest. He hears the first notes of Özden’s 2020 track, "Utanirem Diyemirem". The zurna’s sharp, trilling cry pierces the twilight, and the "halay" begins to form.

The rhythm of the drum, steady as a heartbeat, echoes through the crisp air of , a city perched high on a plateau in eastern Turkey. Here, the music of Mustafa Özden isn't just sound; it’s a call to the "meydan" (the square). Mustafa Ozden2020 HalayВ©Erzurum Halaylari

One by one, the men join hands, fingers interlocking, shoulders touching. They are a wall of strength. As the "Erzurum Halayları" pick up speed, the line moves as a single organism. They kick in unison, their boots rhythmically striking the earth, sending up puffs of dust that glow in the fading light. A young man named , his name a