The Sema is a UNESCO-listed living tradition, not a show. These twelve clauses cover what you pay for, what we ask of you as an audience member, what we can't control (we can't speed the ceremony up, we can't add seats, we can't prevent a dervish's absence), and how a dispute is resolved. Key clauses: 3 (what your ticket covers), 7 (etiquette), 9 (refunds), 12 (law).
Between you (cardholder) and Istanbul Tourist Information Ltd., TÜRSAB A-7812.
Contract starts when Stripe confirms payment. Confirmation email is the agreement.
Turkish and EU consumer law override where more favourable.
A reserved seat at the Mevlevi Sema ceremony at Sirkeci Station hall on a specific date.
Single ticket tier: Standard (€21, all rows) — one adult rate, no separate Prime or Front-row tiers in API.
Included printed programme in English, Turkish, Arabic explaining the four Selams of the Sema.
Reserved seat for the 60-minute ceremony at your booked tier. Seat number printed on voucher.
Printed programme at your seat explaining the Sema's four Selams, the ney, kudüm, and the dervishes' order.
Post-ceremony Turkish çay served in the adjoining lobby. Optional — no one is rushed out.
Excluded: Meals, transportation, hotel, Sirkeci Station's own museum tour (sold separately).
Confirmation within 90 seconds. Reference: WD- + six characters. Seat number on the PDF voucher.
No email after 60 minutes: check spam, email support for manual resend.
QR is scanned at the hall entrance. Phone or paper — both accepted.
Venue: Sirkeci Garı Mevlevihane Salonu, Sirkeci Train Station, second floor. T1 tram direct.
Arrive 30 minutes before. Doors close 5 minutes before start; latecomers are seated at the back only after the ceremony begins, to minimise disruption.
Late for our reasons (hall opening delay): full reschedule. Late for external reasons: you may be reseated in a lower tier, no refund.
Free reschedule up to 48 hours before the ceremony.
Inside 48 hours: handled case-by-case via support per booking. New date within six months.
Unlimited number of reschedules, provided each respects the 48-hour window.
Silence is required throughout the ceremony. The Sema is a form of prayer. Whispering is acceptable before and after, not during.
Photography is permitted without flash during the first two Selams only. The third and fourth Selams are the spiritual peak — cameras down, phones away.
No applause at the end. The Mevlevi tradition is that the dervishes exit in silence. Applause breaks the spiritual seal. If you want to express appreciation, do so after the dervishes have left the hall.
Dress respectfully. Shoulders and knees covered. Shoes are kept on (unlike a mosque). Hats removed on entry.
No children under 6. The ceremony's length and required silence are not age-appropriate. Children 6-15 are admitted free if they can stay silent for the hour.
Removal for disruption (phone ringing repeatedly, loud whispers, applause): no refund.
The Sema can be cancelled for two reasons outside our control: a mourning period (e.g. death of a brotherhood senior — cancellation is out of respect) or a major venue issue (power failure, water damage).
Cancellation entitles you to 100% refund or free reschedule regardless of window.
Notification by SMS and email no later than 3 hours before the start time.
72+ hours: 100%.
24-72 hours: 50% or free reschedule.
0-24 hours: 12-month credit, no cash.
No-show: no refund, no credit.
Full Remboursement covers edge cases.
Liability capped at the amount you paid. Consequential damages (missed flights, hotel cancellations) not covered.
The 10.1 cap does not apply to wilful misconduct or liability that can't be limited under Turkish law.
Venue liability insurance held by Sirkeci Station hall operator per Turkish venue regulations.
Material changes: 30-day email notice.
The version applicable is the one in effect on the day you paid.
Turkish law. Istanbul courts exclusive jurisdiction subject to consumer rights.
14-day good-faith mediation before filing.
EU consumers: ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.
A human who knows these clauses in context will reply. Not a script-reading aide.