The Mevlana Festival and Sema in Modern Turkey began in 1950 as an annual event to commemorate the life and teachings of the 13th-century Persian poet and Sufi mystic Rumi, also known as Mevlana. Held in Konya, the festival features the mesmerizing sema, a form of whirling dance performed by the Whirling Dervishes, which symbolizes the spiritual journey towards divine love. This revival of Sufi practices emerged in response to the secularization that followed the fall of the Ottoman Empire, aiming to reconnect with Turkey's rich spiritual heritage. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, the festival plays a significant role in promoting cultural diplomacy and enhancing tourism, drawing visitors from around the world to experience the profound spiritual and cultural legacy of Rumi.

The Mevlana Festival and Sema in modern Turkey, initiated in 1950, revived interest in Rumi's translations and Sufi poetry. This resurgence fueled worldwide poetic expressions that embraced themes of love, spirituality, and interfaith dialogue, influencing contemporary verse.