Osman Kırca receives 'Living Human Treasure' award from President Erdoğan

71-year-old Osman Kırca, who lives in Antalya's Kaş district, was honored with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's 'Living Human Treasure' award for his work with the three-stringed cura, which he took up as a child. Kırca, who received the award from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, continues to preserve this cultural legacy.

Scraper SystemJuly 08, 2026, 11:16 AM

Osman Kırca receives 'Living Human Treasure' award from President Erdoğan

In Antalya's Kaş district, Osman Kırca (71) had a father who, for fear of breaking the strings, kept him away from his saz. At 15, on migration routes, he picked up the three-stringed cura and carried his ancestors' legacy to the present day.

Kırca began playing the cura while herding on the steep cliffs of the Taurus Mountains, turning nature's rhythm into compositions. His talent earned him the Ministry of Culture and Tourism's 'Living Human Treasure' award. He received the prize from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Complex on January 20, and continues to keep this cultural heritage alive.

Shepherds Would Play Boğaz

Osman Kırca explains that circumstances forced him into shepherding and that he first held the three-stringed instrument at 15: 'I was very strong in math. The teacher told my father, “Educate this child.” But back then my father had quite a few animals. I cried a lot but he wouldn't send me to school. I had to quit after fifth grade to tend the animals. We would migrate to the highlands with camels, stopping along the way.'

'At that time, shepherds would play boğaz (a special folk singing technique in which the human throat is used like a musical instrument), a tradition from our ancestors. I started with boğaz singing. My father had a saz but wouldn't let me touch it, fearing I’d damage the strings. Back then, strings arrived by ship and were hard to find.'

I Was the First Shepherd to Play

'I told my cousin, “Find me a cura.” Then I started playing the cura behind the animals.'

'I became the first shepherd to play the three-stringed cura. I mastered it in the mountains and on migrations. I have taught 200 students and trained many music teachers. It has brought me countless friends. I’ve played and sung for everyone who came by. One day, officials from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism arrived. For 12 days, they watched and listened to everyone who played the cura in the area. Then I got a call.'

'They said, “You’ll receive an award from the President in Ankara.” It was a selective award. And I received the award from our esteemed President.'

‘I Want the State to Build Us a School’

'I give concerts at Yörük associations and during migrations. We are taken to thousands of places. This cura has brought me thousands of friends. It even flew me to South Korea. The cura is a very precious instrument. I wish the new generation knew its worth.'

'I’ve done a lot to prevent it from being forgotten. I would like the state to build us a school where I can teach children to play the cura. Of my six children, only the youngest plays. But she doesn’t go to concerts; she only plays with me at home. I have 5-10 goats. I play here so I don’t forget the old tunes,' he said.

Osman Kırca receives 'Living Human Treasure' award from President Erdoğan