Word ’Alevi’ stirrs public discussion
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Vercihan Ziflioğlu
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Ocak 12, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - A play titled 'Yedi Tepeli Aşk' (The Love with Seven Hills), which has been staged at Istanbul City Theaters since May this year, has recently stirred a political debate because of the two controversial words.
The identity debate never stops in Turkey. After seven months touring Istanbul City Theaters and receiving positive reaction from audience and critics, the play "Yedi Tepeli Aşk" (The Love with Seven Hills) became the focus of a daily Milliyet article after opening at the Fatih Theater. The play stirred discussion because of two words: Alevi and Sivas.
Turkey’s five respected female writers Nezihe Meriç, Seray Şahiner, Ayşe Kilimci, Evrim Yağbasan and Melisa Gürpınar wrote the play, staged by Ersin Yumulu. An article in the paper said that among these texts Şahiner’s story "Gelin Başı" (Bridal Hair) had some expressions that were filthy and hurt Alevi citizens.
The mentioned story was published a few years go by Turkey’s leading Can Publishing House and reached a wide audience. The story, written by Alevi-origin Şahinler, features the worries of an Alevi girl, who lost her virginity before, while preparing to marry an Alevi boy from the central Anatolian city of Sivas. Şahinler did not reply to questions from the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review’s.
One of the recent comments on the issue is striking. According to the comment, "Bridal Hair" part in the play is not the main reason for discussions about the play as it is supposed. But it is the part named "Yedi Ağlı Don," which was also written by Şahinler and is depicting religious orders.
The play will not be staged for some time
Discussions about the play divided the city’s theaters into two. "Fascist and heartbreaking" said theater’s art consultant Kenan Işık, while art director Orhan Alkaya said the play was nothing hurtful for Alevi citizens.
Speaking to the Daily News, Alkaya said, "The word Alevi is mentioned only once in the play. We don’t understand what is going on. But because of these events, we have suspended the play for some time. But it doesn’t mean that we will stop staging it. It is our biggest chance that the leading Alevi people are aware of the fact. I don’t want to speak at the moment. I’m investigating and will share my findings with the public when I’m done."
Alkaya, noting that the article pained him, said they could not have a chance to express themselves properly. "There was a big reaction. I answered all calls and tried to explain the truth to people. These reactions have been created intentionally. It is a dangerous trap but we will overcome this," he said.
Pornography in ’Anna Karenina’
Giving the example of the play "Savaş ve Kadın" (War and Woman), which he is directing, Alkaya said, "The play tells of the story of Yugoslavian civil war. I staged this play in order to show the results of politics carried out over identities. The most dangerous politics are those about ethnic discrimination."Alkaya said he has struggled against handicaps for freedom of expression in Turkey for many years. "Unfortunately, the revolution of the mind is not as easy as it should be."
He said limiting artwork to some criteria was too wrong. "If we consider Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina through the same perspective, it could be seen as pornographic art. Again through the same perspective, we should never pay attention to the leading name of Turkish poetry, Can Yücel, our traditional Ortaoyunu (light comedy), and even the Divan literature that depicts themes of love and sex. We can’t have an intellectual world if we consider everything through the window of politics."
Turkey’s five respected female writers Nezihe Meriç, Seray Şahiner, Ayşe Kilimci, Evrim Yağbasan and Melisa Gürpınar wrote the play, staged by Ersin Yumulu. An article in the paper said that among these texts Şahiner’s story "Gelin Başı" (Bridal Hair) had some expressions that were filthy and hurt Alevi citizens.
The mentioned story was published a few years go by Turkey’s leading Can Publishing House and reached a wide audience. The story, written by Alevi-origin Şahinler, features the worries of an Alevi girl, who lost her virginity before, while preparing to marry an Alevi boy from the central Anatolian city of Sivas. Şahinler did not reply to questions from the Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review’s.
One of the recent comments on the issue is striking. According to the comment, "Bridal Hair" part in the play is not the main reason for discussions about the play as it is supposed. But it is the part named "Yedi Ağlı Don," which was also written by Şahinler and is depicting religious orders.
The play will not be staged for some time
Discussions about the play divided the city’s theaters into two. "Fascist and heartbreaking" said theater’s art consultant Kenan Işık, while art director Orhan Alkaya said the play was nothing hurtful for Alevi citizens.
Speaking to the Daily News, Alkaya said, "The word Alevi is mentioned only once in the play. We don’t understand what is going on. But because of these events, we have suspended the play for some time. But it doesn’t mean that we will stop staging it. It is our biggest chance that the leading Alevi people are aware of the fact. I don’t want to speak at the moment. I’m investigating and will share my findings with the public when I’m done."
Alkaya, noting that the article pained him, said they could not have a chance to express themselves properly. "There was a big reaction. I answered all calls and tried to explain the truth to people. These reactions have been created intentionally. It is a dangerous trap but we will overcome this," he said.
Pornography in ’Anna Karenina’
Giving the example of the play "Savaş ve Kadın" (War and Woman), which he is directing, Alkaya said, "The play tells of the story of Yugoslavian civil war. I staged this play in order to show the results of politics carried out over identities. The most dangerous politics are those about ethnic discrimination."Alkaya said he has struggled against handicaps for freedom of expression in Turkey for many years. "Unfortunately, the revolution of the mind is not as easy as it should be."
He said limiting artwork to some criteria was too wrong. "If we consider Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina through the same perspective, it could be seen as pornographic art. Again through the same perspective, we should never pay attention to the leading name of Turkish poetry, Can Yücel, our traditional Ortaoyunu (light comedy), and even the Divan literature that depicts themes of love and sex. We can’t have an intellectual world if we consider everything through the window of politics."