NATO Summit: Erdogan welcomes Mitsotakis with ottoman military march

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Ankara with the Ottoman military march Ceddin Deden, on the sidelines of the NATO Summit.

According to Politis, the choice of music sparked discussion due to the historical symbolism associated with the piece. Ceddin Deden belongs to the tradition of the Mehter, the renowned military bands of the Ottoman Empire. These bands played a military role and accompanied the marches and campaigns of the Ottoman army.

The composition is regarded as one of the most recognizable Ottoman military marches and is still performed today at official and military ceremonies in Turkey.

The title Ceddin Deden roughly translates as “Your Ancestor, Your Father,” with lyrics that refer to the historical legacy and strength of one’s forebears. The melody bears the distinctive characteristics of a military march, featuring powerful percussion and a marching rhythm typical of the Mehter tradition.