From the Frontline to Friendship
27 April 2025 Melbourne Recital Centre
“There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side in this country of ours. You, the mothers, who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace.”, Atatürk.
Join our profoundly innovative and evidence based initiative designed to curate and present songs authored by Mehmetçik (Mehmets) and ANZAC (Johnnies) soldiers or their progeny at “The Melodies Of Gallipoli, From Frontline To Friendship” event".
Through the medium of these melodic compositions, the project endeavors to articulate their narratives and evoke their profound emotions, thereby illuminating the myriad sentiments encapsulated by individuals hailing from diverse nations of the Gallipoli (Gallipoli) War.
The "Melodies of Gallipoli, From The Frontline To Friendship" project, under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, aligns with the essence of ANZAC Day, emphasizing the importance of commemorating the sacrifices made during the Gallipoli Campaign. The project will serve as a poignant reminder of the historical events while honoring the lives lost, celebrating the resilience of the human spirit of all the “Johnnies and the Mehmets” involved.
The project will unite artists and musicians from different backgrounds, fostering a collaborative environment that highlights the shared experiences of nations involved in the Gallipoli Campaign. The collaboration will extend to songwriters, instrumentalists, and vocalists, creating a rich tapestry of musical expression.
The "Melodies of Gallipoli - From The Frontline To Friendship” project aims to create a transcendent and culturally diverse musical experience by bringing together songs inspired by the Gallipoli Campaign from various cultures, including Australia and New Zealand including Aboriginal and Torres Islanders, England, Ireland, India and Türkiye.
Through the fusion of Western and Eastern musical elements, the project seeks to highlight the power of cultural inspiration. Despite the futility of war this multi- faceted presentation through music, film and spoken word will honour the many nationalities involved at Gallipoli, highlighting the beauty that emerges when diversity is interwoven into music. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters all were involved, all suffered and it is through this suffering that songs and laments emerged from all the nationalities involved – Turkish, Australian, New Zealand, Irish, English, Scotland and Indian.
The one of the main visions of the "Melodies of Gallipoli - From The Frontline To Friendship" concert is to establish a charity fund dedicated to supporting the music education of financially disadvantaged yet musically talented children, youth, or adults.