Mustafa Ozden2020 Halayв©erzurum Halaylari -

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).

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. Mustafa Ozden2020 HalayВ©Erzurum Halaylari

Dadaş feels the surge of the music. In this moment, the songs—"Oy Naim" and "Erzurum Ovaları"—are more than just melodies. They are the stories of the "Dadaş" spirit: brave, hospitable, and deeply rooted in this rugged land. The faster the rhythm, the lighter his feet feel. The rhythm of the drum, steady as a

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. They are a wall of strength

As the sun sets behind the Palandöken mountains, the "halay" line stretches across the square, a living chain of tradition fueled by the relentless energy of music. For Dadaş and his friends, the dance is a promise that as long as the drum beats, the soul of Erzurum will never stop moving. Mustafa Özden - Halay | Erzurum Müzik © 2020