A new music festival under name of Saygun

?zmir has launched a bid to boost its cultural life with a new music festival organized under the name of a famous pianist, the late Ahmet Adnan Saygun. Organized by the ?zmir Metropolitan Municipality, the Saygun Music Festival, which kicked off Feb. 2, will continue until Feb. 9 at the Ahmet Adnan Saygun Arts Center. 

At the opening concert of the festival, the Aegean Arts Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of conductor ?brahim Yaz?c?, was accompanied pianists Emre ?en, Gülsin Onay, Mauricio Vallina and Jean Bernard Pommier. The concert consisted entirely of piano concertos. 

On the second day of the festival, world-famous pianist Faz?l Say will meet ?zmir's art lovers tonight at 8 p.m.

Piano competition

The festival will also host a competition during with young pianists will show their talent. The jury members of the competition include Onay, Pommier, ?en, Vallina and Yaz?c?. 

Awards will be given to the top three in the 11-17 and 18-24 age categories, in addition to a special award and honorable mention awards.  The last concert of the festival will be held on Feb. 7, with the participation of the finalists of the competition. 

The Saygun Music Festival also provides opportunity for piano students and piano department graduates to work with ?en and Edna Golandsky at master class events until Feb. 9.