Sema Yıldız

Sema Yıldız grew up in Istanbul's historic Sulukule Romani community and became one of Turkey's most respected Oryantal performers. Her professional career developed during the late 1960s and 1970s in major Istanbul venues. She later carried Turkish Oryantal and Roman dance to international audiences through performances, workshops and cultural projects. Yıldız was among the Turkish teachers who helped foreign dancers understand the relationship between Oryantal and Turkish Romani movement. Her long career makes her one of the strongest living links to Istanbul's classic nightclub era.