Pazar Rakısı – Sunday`s Elixir

“Pazar Rakısı – Sunday’s Elixir” captures the essence of Turkish meyhane culture, blending it with a modern, queer twist. Enjoy the love and longing songs from various cultures, eras, and languages, all accompanied by a grand piano and Anthony’s velvet voice. As you sip on traditional Pazar Rakısı, complemented by a variety of mezze, your Sunday will become a rejuvenating experience.

Pazar Rakısı holds a special place in Turkish meyhane (tavern) culture, particularly in social gatherings and events. In these vibrant settings, Pazar Rakısı is more than just a drink; it’s a catalyst for rich conversations, live music, and shared memories. Taverns are key social hubs where friends and family come together to enjoy lengthy chats and deep conversations, with Pazar Rakısı serving as a trusted companion. The presence of traditional live music, such as Turkish classical and folk tunes, enhances the ambiance and entertainment. This unique blend of music and culture will leave you relaxed, open, and ready to start the week with a fresh, queer perspective. By merging the traditional charm of Turkish taverns with contemporary and inclusive elements, Anthony Hüseyin’s Pazar Rakısı series offers a refreshing and immersive cultural experience that celebrates diversity and connection.

By: Anthony Hüseyin
Language: Turkish – English
Artwork: Ana Prvacki, Pillow (After Dürer), Watercolor 2022

Anthony Hüseyin is a non-binary musician and performance artist of Kurdish-Turkish and Arab descent who works with voice, text, film, dance and installation. Growing up in Urfa in southeastern Turkey, Anthony Hüseyin grew up with traditional local music and studied classical and jazz singing in Istanbul and Rotterdam. Anthony Hüseyin combines the personal and the political in her*his music to explore memory, identity, community, collective consciousness and body politics. The focus is on queer narratives as radical alternatives to the prevailing status quo.

This season, Anthony Hüseyin is curating and performing a captivating event series “O Shaped Assemblies – O Biçim Buluşmalar” that blends music and performance. The series reimagines traditional social and cultural gatherings deeply rooted in Turkish culture, while reconstructing these social codes and patterns through a nonbinary lens. By weaving together music and performance, Anthony eases the experience, making it accessible for everyone. This series invites attendees to reconnect with their culture in a way that feels personal and unique to them. The next event will be on 21st of December.