An Ottoman-style marching band brought a historic musical tradition to the heart of the global climate debate on Wednesday, 11 November, welcoming international delegates to the COP31 venue in Antalya, Turkey. Dressed in traditional military uniforms, members of the Turkish Ministry of National Defence’s Mehter Band performed rousing marches as participants arrived for the leaders’ summit. Some foreign visitors clapped along, while others began dancing to the rhythms, capturing the moment on their mobile phones.The performance added a distinctly Turkish touch to the international gathering.
The performance took place on the third day of COP31, ahead of the Antalya Leaders’ Summit on 11 and 12 November, hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The Mehter tradition is associated with the military bands of the Ottoman Empire, whose powerful percussion and wind instruments made their music a distinctive part of ceremonial occasions. The contemporary band, which operates under Turkey’s Ministry of National Defence, has also performed at major international events, including the 2026 NATO summit. Against the backdrop of negotiations on climate change, the performance offered visiting delegations a glimpse of Turkey’s musical heritage.