Sardis Marks First UNESCO Anniversary with Open-Air Carmina Burana Performance

The ancient city of Sardis in western Türkiye celebrated the first anniversary of its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List with a spectacular open-air performance of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. Held at the historic Gymnasium of the archaeological site, the concert brought together history, music, and cultural heritage in a unique setting.

Historic Venue Hosts a Landmark Celebration
Organized by the Salihli District Governor’s Office with Norm Holding as the main sponsor, the Sardis Ancient City Concert Days welcomed government officials, cultural leaders, local authorities, and hundreds of visitors.

The celebration marked one year since Sardis Ancient City and the Bintepeler Lydian Tumuli were officially recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Carmina Burana Performed in an Ancient Setting
The evening featured a large-scale performance of German composer Carl Orff’s renowned cantata Carmina Burana by the Izmir State Opera and Ballet (İZDOB).

The production brought together:

• The İzmir State Opera and Ballet Orchestra
• The Opera Chorus
• Solo vocalists
• A Children’s Chorus

The orchestra was conducted by Vladimir Lungu, while the choir was led by Orhan Öner Özcan and the children’s choir by Başar Ünal.

Featured soloists included soprano Ayşe Şenogul, tenor Burak Dabakoğlu, and baritone Nejad Beğde.

The historic surroundings of Sardis added a dramatic visual dimension to the performance, earning prolonged applause from the audience.

Celebrating Cultural Heritage

Beyond the musical performance, the event aimed to highlight the importance of preserving cultural heritage and raising public awareness about UNESCO World Heritage sites.

By combining one of the world’s most celebrated classical works with one of Türkiye’s most significant archaeological sites, the anniversary celebration reinforced Sardis’ growing role as both a historical landmark and a cultural destination.

The event also demonstrated how artistic programming can help connect contemporary audiences with ancient heritage, encouraging greater appreciation and preservation of globally significant cultural sites.