Being Genco Erkal

If he had lived in another country, a monument would have been erected for the master Genco Erkal. Yet in Turkey, he always paid a heavy price for performing political theater. He was detained, his plays were banned, and the theater he founded was shut down. He did not give up.

He never compromised his principled stance during any period.

The state of emergency (OHAL) declared after the July 15 (2016) coup attempt hit him as well. His play titled "Nazım with Brecht at the Sun's Table" was canceled on security grounds. There was such a huge reaction from the public against this ban that the petition campaign launched with the demand "Lift the ban" fell upon the shoulders of the government like a massive avalanche.

Following a multifaceted and comprehensive struggle led by jurist Turgut Kazan, the issue was brought to parliament, and in the end, solidarity won. The decision to stop the play had been overturned by the power of the people. After this tremendous victory, which was reflected in the international public sphere, the great master published this thank-you letter to those who put their hands under the stone:

"The suspension decision that wounded us has been lifted. Now, in front of the Muhtar Mahmut Pasha Mansion, we are experiencing the excitement of appearing before our friends once again, at the sun's table, with the cats, the seagulls, the moonlight, and the stars. We learned this from what we experienced: Love, friendship, and solidarity are the cure for every ailment. If you are in the right, this energy becomes the driving force in achieving success."

However, the concepts of rights and being in the right were always a source of trouble for Genco Erkal. In 1974, his one-man play "Like Kerem" became the subject of an investigation for allegedly spreading communist propaganda. The screening of "A Season in Hakkari," in which he played the lead role and which was directed by Erden Kıral, was banned in Turkey. After the 1980 coup, he could not find venues for his plays during his Anatolian tours. But he received the biggest blow during the AKP government, following the Gezi protests. The funding for 17 theaters, primarily the Dostlar Theater which he founded, was cut off all at once.

He was now at the very top of the list of artists whom the government saw as stepchildren and placed on a blacklist. Internet trolls had become a part of his life. He was tried for "insulting the President" due to three tweets he wrote in 2016 and 2020. A prison sentence of up to four years and eight months was requested for him.

His posts on Twitter were about the opening of Ayder Plateau to construction and the President's diploma.

Master Genco Erkal's trial lasted two years. He was acquitted in 2022. However, the pressure on him and his theater never ended. Municipalities and universities, out of fear, could not invite him and did not provide venues for his plays. Despite death threats, Genco Erkal continued to produce, write, and stage plays that captured the spirit of the times.

I AM NOT AFRAID

When we met for our documentary STEPCHILD, I asked the master, "Despite everything, were you ever afraid?"

"I am not afraid. What would I be afraid of? Will they take my life? Let them take it. We are not alone. The feeling that people who think like us are defending us from the stage keeps me strong. The excitement and love of the young people keep me standing. If something worse happens, so be it. I have accepted it once... I am not afraid!" he had said.

-So, do you have hope?

Of course, I have hope! I have three great writers. Nazım Hikmet, Aziz Nesin, and Bertolt Brecht. I followed them throughout my life. Nazım Hikmet never lost his hope, not even for a single day. All his poems are full of his faith in humanity. With his faith in humanity, he spread hope to his people. It is his verses that always keep me alive. Despite all the pressures, I say "no"; if we struggle, if we believe, beautiful days will surely come. If I do not burn, if you do not burn, if we do not burn, how will the darkness turn into light?

I learned the news of Genco Erkal's passing on Wednesday morning (July 31) from his own personal Instagram account.

It was unique to him, simple, creative, and shocking! Just like Genco on stage!

"Goodbye

My friends

I am taking you in my soul,

Inside my soul,

I am taking my struggle in my mind.

Goodbye

My friends

Goodbye...

Like the birds in the picture

Lined up on the beach,

Do not wave at me.

I do not want it... A farewell without a single syllable."

Goodbye, great master.

The grief you left behind is immense. You touched people from four generations in such a way...

What you distilled with your brave and combative spirit and your experiences shed light on our world.

Goodbye, great master.

I promise you,

We Will See Beautiful Days.

And very soon at that...