After seven long years, Tarkan finally returned to the stage in Istanbul and with him, something much bigger returned as well: collective memory, shared emotion and a sense of unity that only music can create.

Last Tuesday, I found myself among thousands of people, all gathered not merely for a concert, but for an experience. From the moment we entered the venue, there was an undeniable energy in the air. It was not just excitement. It was anticipation mixed with nostalgia, curiosity and deep emotional attachment.

For many in the audience, Tarkan is not simply a pop star. He is the soundtrack of our lives. His songs have accompanied our childhoods, our first loves, our heartbreaks, our celebrations and our transitions into adulthood. Hearing those familiar melodies live again after such a long time felt like opening an old photo album, every page filled with memories.

As the lights dimmed and the first notes echoed through the arena, time seemed to slow down. Thousands of voices sang in unison, turning individual stories into one collective voice. In that moment, social differences disappeared. Age, background, profession, none of it mattered. We were all simply listeners, dreamers and believers in the magic of music.

What made this concert series even more extraordinary were the surprise guest appearances. On different nights, the stage welcomed remarkable artists and entertainers such as Sibel Can, Ata Demirer, Ajda Pekkan and Cem Yılmaz.

Each guest brought a different color to the night. Some added emotional depth, others humor, others pure star power. Yet all of them shared one thing: genuine respect and affection for Tarkan and for the audience. These moments reminded us that true artistry is not about competition, but about connection.

The audience itself was a beautiful reflection of Istanbul’s diversity. Teenagers attending their first major concert stood next to adults who had followed Tarkan’s career since the 1990s. Families, couples, friends, and solo listeners all found their own place in the crowd. Some danced freely, some recorded memories on their phones, some simply closed their eyes and listened.

There were tears, quiet and sincere.

There was laughter, spontaneous and contagious.

And above all, there was happiness, pure and shared.

In today’s fast-paced world, where we constantly scroll, rush, and multitask, moments like these are rare. We often forget how powerful it is to be fully present. That night, thousands of people chose to be present together. No filters, no distractions; just music, emotion and human connection.

Beyond entertainment, this concert series represented resilience. After years marked by uncertainty, global challenges, and personal struggles, people were finally gathering again, not out of obligation, but out of joy. It felt like a collective healing process, carried by melodies and memories.

Istanbul has always had a special relationship with music. From classical Turkish compositions to modern pop, from street musicians to grand arenas, the city breathes rhythm. Music here is not just something we listen to. It is something we live with. It accompanies ferry rides across the Bosporus, late-night conversations, morning walks and long drives.

Tarkan’s return reminded us of this cultural richness. He did not simply perform songs; he created a space where people could feel safe, understood and emotionally connected. In a way, he gave the city back its voice.

As I left the venue that night, I noticed something remarkable: people were smiling at strangers. They were kinder, lighter, and more open. Conversations continued on the streets, in cars, on social media. The concert did not end when the lights went out it followed us home.

Some events are forgotten within days. Others become part of who we are. This was not just a concert series.

It was a reminder of who we have been, who we are and who we still hope to become.

In a world that constantly changes, music remains our most faithful companion.

And that night in Istanbul proved it once again.

Hidden memories in Tarkan

Almost everyone in Türkiye carries a personal story inside a Tarkan song.

For some, it is the soundtrack of their first love.

For others, it is the melody of a summer holiday, a long bus ride, a farewell, or a reunion.

Some remember dancing at weddings. Some remember crying alone in their rooms.

His songs are not just music. They are emotional archives.

When a Tarkan song starts playing, people do not only hear the rhythm, they travel back in time. Suddenly, they are 17 again. Or heartbroken. Or hopeful. Or fearless. Or in love for the first time.

Each lyric carries traces of real lives.

A couple may remember the night they met. A mother may remember rocking her baby to sleep.

A student may remember studying for exams. A young girl may remember dreaming of her future.

Different lives. Same songs.

This is why his concerts feel so powerful.

Thousands of people sing together, yet everyone is singing their own story.

In that moment, a stadium turns into a shared memory space.

This is the true definition of stardom.

Not being famous. Not being rich. Not being popular.

But becoming part of people’s emotional history.

Tarkan achieved that.

And once an artist enters your memories, he never really leaves.