ARRIVEDERCI It was in a warm summer night of 1960 on the Prince's Island of Büyükada situated in the Marmara Sea near Istanbul. I was then 13 years old, and while trying to fall asleep at around midnight, a melancholic melody sang by Ezzio, the crooner of the much loved Italian Sergio Christian Orchestra, breezed in my room through the open windows overlooking our flowery garden, fusing with the perfumes of jasmins and roses. ARRIVEDERCI was carried to me by a pleasant wind blowing from the gardens of the very select Anadolu Kulübü, located on a high hill above the shores of the island. The eight piece band was performing in the open air night club, where glamorous couples were amorously swaying around the vast circular dancing floor. While delighted to listen to that captivating song for the first time, its enthraling and wistful air was echoing under the starry sky of Büyükada, rendering the island more magic than ever. From that night on, since the flying notes of this self-inviting tune inundated my small room, I never fell asleep again before I would hear Ezzio singing ARRIVEDERCI. During my long summer vacation of 1960, that fascinating, indelible nighttime experience turned gradually into a ritual and became a sweet addiction. Arrivederci was the last melody Ezzio sang every night, making me feel in a wonderland. When the music finally stopped around midnight, and the happy voices of some islanders mixing with the jangles and rattles of horse drawn carriages, as well as the vibration of clattering hooves replaced the sound of music, I plunged into a deep sleep. The whistle of the days’s last ship leaving for Istanbul was the ultimate sound I could vaguely hear.* *Excerpt adapted to English by Tolya FILIZ from his Turkish novel "Istanbul, I never left you" published by Gözlem Editions. (Istanbul, 2008)
