for Many years the Pianist and composer Fazil Say was a figurehead of the Western upper layer of the Turkey. Abroad, he has celebrated successes, and in Turkey he made about Islam and the pious Anatolier funny. But now, the artist has made his peace with the religious-conservative President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. At the invitation of Say visited Erdogan in the Ankara Premiere of “Troy-Sonata” of the musician and invited Say in the presidential Palace. Says former companions are horrified and complain about the kowtowing of the composer.
The alleged sin of the internationally acclaimed musician is coming to the view of the Kemalists – supporters of the secular state, the founders of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk – shows, especially in one photo: The image of the 49-year-old pianist after the concert in Ankara, as he listens with bowed head and folded hands, to the praise of Erdogan. From Says attitude is pure cowardice speak “”, scolded the author Ahmet Nesin, son of the famous writer Aziz Nesin.
With such comments, have expect Say, the columnist Zülal Kalkandelen of the newspaper “Cumhuriyet”. Finally, we are dealing with a government who had been critical of artists and other opponents and in their 16 years in Power, the säkuläre Republic had abolished. Now tele Say convey the impression that he had arranged with the government. A few weeks ago, Erdogan had two prominent actors due to illicit Comments temporarily. By Say, however, the President had a CD signing.
Say hanging on to his Anatolian homeland
he Says time as a Coverboy of the secular Erdogan’s opponents is probably over. In the process, the Ankara-born artist, dream of the Kemalists always for their country: He played not only Western music, he played it so well that for him the West lay at their feet. Also in Berlin, he is already occurred, often, in 2010/2011 he was Artist in Residence at the Konzerthaus am Gendarmenmarkt.
Kemalist applause, there was also, Say met in Turkey, the religiously-conservative Anatoliern with arrogance. As he was sentenced after derogatory comments about Islam because of blasphemy and declared that he would leave Turkey, he was celebrated as a Hero. One of Says works is the Gezi Park riots of 2013, dedicated to be demonized by erdoğan as a coup attempt. The government punished Say with contempt, and exclusion: In Turkey, his concerts were cancelled more and more frequently.
However, Fazil Say, is hanging on to his Anatolian homeland – he has left Turkey never. In spite of his international career, it is important to him, in Turkey, to be understood and recognized. As he played a long time ago in New York, Tokyo and London, he toured time and again by Anatolian province of cities, the youth bring his music almost. He draws identity and Inspiration from Turkey and will not renounce her.
a turning point with the death, Says mom
The turning point came after the death of Says mother last August. At the time Erdogan was calling to offer condolences, and Say, invited the Islamic-conservative politicians, to come to one of his concerts. A few weeks ago complained to Erdogan, the Kemalists wanted to force him to listen to Mozart. However, to appeared Says “Troy Sonata” and applauded standing.
Some observers see in Erdogan’s gesture-a clever move on the part of, an important artists Association, and to present themselves before the local elections in March as a tolerant father of the country. He Says critics of the composer, meanwhile, in a series with the so-called state artists, the Erdogan-to-front visit in Syria, accompany and like propaganda, sing songs with him. Others see his attitude in contrast to the great artists of the resistance, such as the poet Nazim Hikmet, the exile and prison in the time of purchase.
More about
Turkey Star Pianist Fazil Say, because of Islam-insulting sentenced
Thomas Seibert
Say self has not spoken yet to the criticism, however, perhaps speaks to his father Ahmet for him. This told the newspaper “Hürriyet,” Erdogan was once the President of the Turks. An “atmosphere of peace” was good for the country.