Karaim
Karaim: A small Turkic-speaking group primarily found in Lithuania, Ukraine, and Poland, the Karay are unique for practicing Karaite Judaism. Their language, Karaim, is a preserved Kipchak dialect, and their culture reflects centuries of life at the crossroads of the Turkic and European worlds.
Performance by Tavysh
Bir elimde kemanem: “This next piece is a spirited Crimean Karay folk melody that captures the playful, flirtatious energy of a traditional village gathering. While originally a song about a traveling musician and a charming youth, we will be performing it as an instrumental showcase. Listen for the rhythmic ‘dialogue’ between the strings and the percussion.. It’s a track that celebrates the joy of the moment, the ‘melting’ of a cold heart, and the irresistible invitation to dance.”
Performance by Tavysh and Anadolu Turkish Musicians
Ijisi baraśkiniń: “The Smells of Friday” is a nostalgic tribute to Trakai, the historic lakeside home of the Karaim community in Lithuania. By blending the grand history of the Vytautas fortress with the domestic comfort of traditional cooking, the song celebrates the arrival of the Sabbath. It serves as a warm, sensory reminder for the next generation to find strength and identity in the culinary heritage and enduring customs of their ancestors.
“My heart longs to fly to Trakai like a bird, whenever my nose is tickled by the scents of Friday. There on the island stands a castle, the fortress of Vytautas, where the noodles curl their moustaches—oh, those smells of Friday! Son of the Karaim, follow the path of your ancestors. Let the spirit of these Friday traditions make you ever stronger.”
𐰆𐰢𐰖 Umay's Children 