Critics believe the Turkey government is launching a “cultural war” ahead of elections by canceling musical events in AK Party-run cities and districts.
Turkey is in the midst of spring, which means a slew of performances and outdoor festivals to complement the fantastic weather.
However, in recent weeks, the organized events have been canceled by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), prompting critics and observers to accuse the government of waging a “cultural war” in the run-up to next year’s general elections.
The first widely publicized cancellation began on May 9, when the governor of the Central Anatolian province of Eskisehir declared a 15-day ban on all outdoor gatherings, citing “terrorist groups planning demonstrations.”
While the city municipality is managed by the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), the provincial governor, similar to others in Turkey, is appointed by the president.
The ban canceled a huge festival in Eskisehir, which was set to take place between May 12 and 15, and featured some of Turkey’s most popular performers.
“Inappropriate” masks ‘Political Reasoning’
Meanwhile, Aynur Dogan’s concert in the province of Kocaeli on May 20 was canceled because it was “not appropriate”.
Similarly, folk musician Niyazi Koyuncu’s concert in the Istanbul district of Pendik on May 25 was canceled because Koyuncu – who is known for being anti-government – did not share the municipality’s “value judgments and views.”
Despite her growing popularity, Melek Mosso’s concert on June 3 at a festival in the western city of Isparta was canceled by the municipality after two youth associations issued a statement stating that Mosso “encourages immorality” and demanding that her show be canceled.
Mem Ararat, another Kurdish musician, had his show in Bursa which was canceled by the provincial administration on the grounds of “public safety”.
Meanwhile, spring festivals are held at several universities across the country, but live music performances at Middle East Technical University in Ankara and Yildiz Technical University in Istanbul have been canceled this year, presumably due to the deaths of three Turkish soldiers in a previous military operation, targeting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Rectors who have been selected by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lead both universities.
Many political analysts believe the cancellations are part of President Erdogan’s pre-election strategy, as he has lost ground in surveys due to Turkey’s faltering economy.
The government has defended its economic record and controversial interest rate policies, claiming that lower rates will reduce inflation and boost economic growth, exports, and jobs. Erdogan said in a statement on June 6 that Turkey doesn’t technically have an inflation problem, but rather a high cost of living problem.
Ironically, the concert bans and resulting outcry have almost certainly triggered a Streisand effect, in which attempting to repress something merely draws more attention to it. Melek Mosso continues to perform for enormous crowds across the country, while Aynur Dogan sang Kurdish music to thousands of admirers on May 28 at Istanbul’s preeminent venue, the Cemil Topuzlu Open Air Theatre
