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Writer's pictureM. Selman Karabul

"A word of thanks to İrfan Alış"

Updated: Nov 22

As Olta Solidarity, we have lost a leader who has touched all of our lives in some way. This was the important factor that made his style of expression original and touching: touching lives .


That's why everything he said, the world of music and lyrics he built throughout his life, always felt true and real. I'm talking about the bare, unvarnished reality that makes us feel when he says, " Strip the words, let the truth be naked! "



Peyk group on the Taksim Blind stage
Peyk, Irfan Aliş, Taksim, Blind, 02-09-2023 📸 M.Selman Karabul

Irfan Alış touched lives not only with music but also with faith and struggle. His story is a source of inspiration for all independent musicians and artists struggling to exist. It was one of the best examples of what art can do when combined with solidarity.


When he said, "What do you mean, the state doesn't provide me with a stage!? I'm doing culture! ", his grizzled voice carried the weight of an unsolved knot deep down and a struggle with the system. Maybe it was because he was living a struggle, not a musical journey. So much so that the Olta Solidarity Project, which emerged as the fruit of this struggle, became an inspiration for all of us at the intersection of independence and music. In this sense, the Olta legacy is not just a collection of music, but the embodiment of solidarity and collective spirit.


With the sadness of losing İrfan Alış, we feel that we only realize the size of a mountain when we leave its foothills. The hollow makes itself felt painfully. Although we will all be in mourning for a while, it has been said, "Death is right, legacy is rightful. "


Inheritance we say... Because there is a solidarity project left to us . And thanks to this, whenever we see each other, we will feel like we have seen him a little. Whenever we see each other, we will feel like we have seen ourselves. With this feeling and the beautiful burden of fulfilling a friend's will, we, as Olta Solidarity volunteers, will embrace this legacy and continue to stand together and help each other.


With the pride of having met you and standing in solidarity with you, we will continue to follow the traces you left behind.


Your voice and spirit will always be with us.


We thank and promise you...


I leave you with a version of "Derdini bul" by Deniz Perhan that accompanies this article and consoles us. Listen to Deniz's notes echoing from his music box.




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