#79 - Nezih Ünen - Eşrefoğlu Al Haberi
Nezih Ünen's haunting rendition of "Eşrefoğlu Al Haberi" that he transformed a 15th-century Bektaşi nefes into the centerpiece of his groundbreaking Lost Songs of Anatolia documentary.
Story Behind "Eşrefoğlu Al Haberi"
The Eight-Year Quest Through Anatolian Villages
"Eşrefoğlu Al Haberi" emerged from one of the most ambitious musical archaeology projects of the 21st century. Turkish composer, producer and arranger Nezih Ünen spent eight years wandering from village to village compiling the folk songs of Anatolia, recording 350 hours of footage and traveling more than 40,000 kilometers to preserve what he called the "lost songs" of his homeland. Inspired by Peter Gabriel's Passion album, which includes Anatolian folk songs, Ünen set out to document the musical heritage of a land that had hosted ancient civilizations for ten millennia but whose cultural riches were rapidly disappearing.
From Ancient Nefes to Modern Revival
The song itself is a 15th-century Bektaşi nefes (mystical hymn) originally composed by Hasan Dede, addressed to Eşrefoğlu Rumi. The piece begins with the famous lines "Eşrefoğlu al haberi/ Bahçe biziz gül bizdedir" (Eşrefoğlu, hear the news/ We are the garden, the rose is ours) and represents a spiritual dialogue between two great mystics of Anatolian Sufism. However, the version that captivated modern audiences came through the voice of Hozatlı Ahmet Yurt Dede, a folk bard from Tunceli whose powerful rendition became so influential that it "became like a march" and was recorded by numerous artists.
"Eşrefoğlu Al Haberi" Recording and Production Details
Authentic Performance Meets Cinematic Vision
Ünen's approach was revolutionary - rather than re-performing the songs with a new choir or orchestra, he captured the authentic performances recorded live on location spontaneously, then enhanced them with modern arrangements to create "an incomparable musical". For "Eşrefoğlu Al Haberi," this meant preserving the raw emotional power of traditional performance while adding contemporary production elements that would make the ancient wisdom accessible to modern ears. The recording became part of both a documentary film and soundtrack album, demonstrating Ünen's vision of presenting Anatolian culture as living poetry rather than static folklore.
Documentary as Musical Journey
The director clarified that the film was meant to be a movie, not a documentary, since "Anatolia would reveal the truth about itself on its own. If it was a documentary, it would be too didactic. So I wanted it to be a movie composing its own poetry". This philosophical approach shaped how "Eşrefoğlu Al Haberi" was presented - not as an academic exercise but as a spiritual experience that could transport listeners directly into the heart of Anatolian mysticism.
Notes About "Eşrefoğlu Al Haberi" by Nezih Ünen
Original Composition: 15th century (Hasan Dede)
Album Release: January 22, 2010
Duration: Approximately 3:16
Genre: Traditional Anatolian Folk / Bektaşi Nefes
Album: Anadolu'nun Kayıp Şarkıları (Lost Songs of Anatolia)
Director/Producer: Nezih Ünen
Original Performer: Hozatlı Ahmet Yurt Dede
Documentary Release: 2008-2010
Lost Songs of Anatolia Project Details
Documentary Information
Original Title: Anadolu'nun Kayıp Şarkıları
Release Year: 2008-2010
Director: Nezih Ünen
Runtime: 97 minutes
Production Period: 8 years of research and filming
Concept: Turkey's first musical-documentary film
Project Scope
Featured Songs: 20 musical numbers from various Anatolian regions
Recording Statistics: 350 hours of footage, 133 live performances, 40,000+ kilometers traveled
Cultural Focus: Ancient civilizations, rituals, and mythology influence on traditional music
Approach: Live location recordings with modern arrangements
International Recognition: Screened at film festivals in Montpellier, Thessaloniki, Salento, Zagreb, Ghent, and Kosovo
Cultural Mission
Examined the influence of ancient civilizations, rituals and mythology of the land on traditional music and dance
Aimed to answer the question "Who are living in these lands and since when?" during Turkey's recognition of minorities and different cultures
Addressed cultural attitudes where "West lovers started to assume themselves as the lords of Istanbul" and looked down upon Eastern Anatolia
Interesting Facts About "Eşrefoğlu Al Haberi"
The Mystical Dialogue Across Centuries
The song represents a fascinating theological dialogue spanning centuries. Hasan Dede's "Eşrefoğlu al haberi" was written as a response to critics of Alevi-Bektashi practices, with the poet defending his spiritual tradition through verses like "We are also servants of God / Seventy-two languages are with us". The reference to "seventy-two languages" symbolizes the inclusive, tolerant nature of the Bektashi path, while the garden-and-rose metaphor presents the mystical community as a living paradise where divine truth blooms naturally.
From Village Performance to Global Recognition
Hozatlı Ahmet Yurt Dede's rendition first gained wider attention when artists like Musa Eroğlu and Selda recorded his compositions, but it was Nezih Ünen's documentary that transformed "Eşrefoğlu Al Haberi" into a cultural phenomenon. The song's power lies in its ability to bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and contemporary spiritual seeking, making 15th-century Sufi poetry relevant to 21st-century audiences. As one reviewer noted, "It doesn't matter what color you are or what language you are speaking you will definitely like those masterpieces... even if you don't understand the language you will be moved or excited", demonstrating the universal appeal of authentic spiritual expression captured in Ünen's documentary vision.