Commemoration concert for İbrahim Erkal at AKM sparks debate: 'Someone is making money from this'

The Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM), one of the iconic structures of the Republican era where opera and ballet performances are held, is being shaken by a new controversy. The 'Homage to İbrahim Erkal' concert,

which is scheduled to be held in memory of İbrahim Erkal, one of the representatives of arabesque-fantasy music, as part of the AKM's December program, has drawn reactions from the art community. According to a report by Işıl Çalışkan from Birgün;

on Sunday, December 10, the event has become a subject of debate. The concert, which is stated to be organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism at the Türk Telekom Opera Hall as part of the 'Tribute to Artists Concerts' series, has led to questions regarding the government's cultural and artistic policies.

Representatives from the art world, who stated that the Istanbul State Opera and Ballet Choir and the Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra have difficulty finding venues for their projects and performances, complained, "The AKM opera hall is not the place for this concert."

The fact that the 'Osman Yağmurdereli Commemoration Concert' was held at the AKM Türk Telekom Opera Hall on June 23, 2022, also drew reactions from the art world.

'AKM IS NOT SUITABLE FOR ARABESQUE MUSIC'

Stating that the main schedule of the AKM should be composed of the State Opera and Ballet, the General Directorate of State Theaters, and the polyphonic choirs of the General Directorate of Fine Arts, the President of the Union of Theater, Cinema, Opera and Ballet Performing Artists (TOMEB) Alper Kafa said, "If there are any remaining slots, the stage is then allocated to those close to these art forms."

I wish mercy upon İbrahim Erkal, but the AKM is not suitable for fantasy and arabesque music. If it were a night to commemorate Leyla Gencer, that would be appropriate there. That place is an opera and ballet stage. İbrahim Erkal never performed at the AKM during his lifetime. There is no point in holding a tribute day here either. This is a matter of incompetence on the part of the administrators. Someone must be making money from this," they stated.

'A LACK OF CARE'

Reminding that opera and ballet companies always need a venue both when producing and performing works, TOBAV (State Theater, Opera and Ballet Employees Mutual Assistance Foundation) President Mehmet Yılmaz, expressed his thoughts as follows:

"Other more suitable venues could have been found where İbrahim Erkal could be commemorated. There are many halls in Istanbul where such events can be held. It would be more appropriate for these types of prestige centers, where high art is performed, to be given to art institutions that are in need of a hall and a stage." There is a lack of care here. Cultural centers are now being viewed like commercial businesses. Because that is an opera house, and the AKM is our country's prestigious venue."

'IT MUST LIVE UP TO ITS PURPOSE OF EXISTENCE'

Classical music critic Serhan Bali, stated, "We demand that the AKM Opera Hall live up to its name and its purpose of existence, and that more opera and ballet performances be scheduled on the main stage than there are currently."