On the evening of 11 July 2026, vocalist Maral Ayvaz gave an unforgettable performance at Taş Mektep (Stone School) on Büyükada (Prinkipo), the largest of Istanbul’s Princes’ Islands, as part of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Culture’s Overseas Concerts series. Within the historic stone walls of this restored landmark, the audience experienced far more than an accomplished concert—they embarked on a moving journey through the shared cultural memory of Anatolia.

Carefully restored by İBB Heritage (İBB Miras) and returned to public life, Taş Mektep (Stone School) has become one of Büyükada’s (Prinkipo’s) leading cultural venues. Once a school, the historic building now hosts concerts, exhibitions, lectures, and workshops. The preservation of cultural heritage is not merely about restoring historic buildings; it is about transforming them into vibrant public spaces where culture can continue to flourish. Taş Mektep stands as a successful example of this vision.

The concert began promptly at 8:00 p.m. as Maral Ayvaz and her six-member ensemble took the stage. While the last rays of the setting sun faded over the Sea of Marmara, the open-air atmosphere of Taş Mektep blended naturally with the warmth of the music.

The ensemble, under the musical direction of Ari Hergel, featured Sevan, Metehan Dada, Çayan Yılmaz, Şakir Ozan Uygan, and Melisa Boztaş Demirci. Their refined musicianship, combined with........

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