“Flying Carpet is a source of buoyant energy and light in a world heaving with tragedy, destruction and loss. What a rare and beautiful example Flying Carpet sets for all those in search of a counterbalance to hopelessness. Long live Flying Carpet!”

— David Harrington, violinist and founder of Kronos Quartet

WHAT IS FLYING CARPET?

Flying Carpet is a volunteer-based collective of world-class musicians, performers, circus artists, visual artists, designers and visionaries who believe in the power of music and arts as a catalyst for positive change in the lives of children.

Flying Carpet is a volunteer-based collective of world-class musicians, circus artists, visual artists, designers, and visionaries who believe in the power of music and arts as a catalyst for positive change in the lives of vulnerable and refugee children in war-afflicted regions of the world. The Flying Carpet Children Festival is an intensive learning platform for artists and vulnerable children alike to create a harmonious experience through music, circus, dance, light, beauty and truth. We organize festivals specializing in forward-thinking design, music and art dedicated towards educating children who need it most. The festival selects artists, musicians and visionaries from all over the world with the common goal of creating the best possible educational experience for vulnerable children traumatized by war and conflict.

“The Flying Carpet Festival has been one of the most beautiful, heart-full and awe inspiring chapters I have experienced so far in my musical career! Working with passionate and hard working creatives across artistic disciplines, with the beautiful vision of serving children and communities in most need, has generously grown my artistry and humanity towards a path of service through the arts. I am deeply indebted to witnessing this transformative art residency, and am tremendously thankful towards the visionaries that make such program a reality!”

— Khatchadour Khatchadourian, Vocalist & Duduk player

54
performances

During the last four years years we have held 37 major live performances, 7 jam nights and 3 puppet shows.

129
ARTISTS

Every year we bring 20-30 international artists, visionaries and musicians to perform at the festival in different regions.

300
workshops

Our volunteers and artists hosted workshops throughout the city of Mardin to engage and inspire children.

24,000
Children

We have engaged with more than 24,000 children and refugees in Mardin, Turkey during the Flying Carpet Festival through our workshops and live performances.

“Flying Carpet Festival is the most soulful musical enterprises I have ever been a part of. Engaging children—thousands of them—in a way that’s comforting, surprising, and sensitive, can change their life and yours at once.”

— Luciano Chessa, Composer

Sirkhane Social Circus School helps restore confidence in refugee youth by teaching circus tricks in Mardin. Our mission is to provide safe, friendly and embracing environment for children, who are effected by conflicts. Replace their damaged childhood with happiness and enrich the children’s imagination with colors of social circus pedagogy. 

Sirkhane Social Circus School is carrying out activities in Turkey and Iraq. Children have opportunities to collaborate and form friendships with each other, beyond gender, social and cultural differences. In doing so, they manifest peace, harmony, open mindedness and cheerfulness in their local and global communities. Laughter is childhood, laughter is happiness.