Prelude to a Kiss
Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez might consider an additional historical connection between Turkish- and Spanish-speaking cultures in her consideration of the Tarkan phenomenon (“Turkish Singer’s Latin Success Sealed With a Kiss, or Two,” July 22).
The Ladino people, Sephardic Jews who sought refuge in Asia Minor during the persecutions in Spain in the 15th and 16th centuries, brought with them Spanish (and Moorish-influenced) music and art. This undoubtedly added new elements of Iberian color and spice into the already rich aesthetic mix of Turkey. And Turkey herself numbers major contributions to and from the great civilizations of history, including the ancient Hittites, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Khans, Ottomans and so forth.
One might only be surprised that in view of Turkey’s rich and lively cultural traditions, more of their popular music does not find its way west.
JERALD DONOVAN
Irvine
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