Tamer Karadağlı's statement on Gezi Park: 'Yes, I went, but...'

Following the reopening of the Gezi Park investigation after 12 years, talent manager Ayşe Barım was arrested, and numerous actors had provided testimony as witnesses.

Tamer Karadağlı, who was appointed as the General Director of State Theaters by the decision of AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, made a statement regarding the footage of him attending the Gezi Park protests, which has returned to the agenda with the Gezi Park investigation. 

"YES, I WENT TO GEZI, BUT..."

Speaking to Sabah columnist Tuba Kalçık, Karadağlı stated, “Yes, I went to Gezi. Like thousands of other people who were there at the time. However, I saw in a short time that the issue was not about trees. Once I saw the political dimension of the event and saw the supporters of terrorist organizations on the field, I was not there again....”

THERE ARE DAYS I WORK 22 HOURS A DAY

In the interview, Karadağlı also spoke about other current topics. Claiming that there are days when he works 22 hours a day due to his role as General Director of State Theaters, Karadağlı said, “I moved my life from Istanbul to Ankara. I dedicate all my time to the State Theaters. To be of benefit to the institution, so that we can bring theater to everyone... There is a great deal of effort behind the plays we present to our audience.”

“WHOEVER WAS IN MY PLACE WOULD FACE CRITICISM”

Regarding the criticism he has received, Karadağlı assessed, “I don't take it personally. Whoever was in my place would face criticism. Because my name is well-known, there is more criticism. Honestly, I am not interested in what people say. I am doing my job. I am not going to spend time responding to criticism.”

“RESIGNATION RUMORS ARE NOT TRUE”

Stating that the allegations regarding his resignation are untrue, Karadağlı noted the following:

“The biggest rumor mechanism in the State Theaters is the gossip that the general director will be dismissed from the day they take office. This has been the case for 75 years. The same rumors were circulating for Muhsin Ertuğrul and Cüneyt Gökçer as well. I find this very normal. Such rumors have always existed in art circles and will continue to do so. I have not had the slightest problem with the ministry to date. We are working in great harmony with our Minister. So, the resignation rumors are not true... I am a success-oriented person. I only work to be successful. That is why I don't care what anyone says.”

WHAT DID HE SAY ABOUT ALLEGATIONS OF MONOPOLIZATION IN THE SECTOR?

When asked about the investigations launched into the acting sector and allegations of monopolization, Karadağlı stated, “There is no such thing as nepotism or monopolization in the State Theater. The same conditions do not exist in the private sector. There is monopolization in the private sector; this is something that has been known for years. It is only now being talked about.”

“MY BIGGEST DREAM…”

Karadağlı described his biggest dream by saying, “I want to take the State Theaters to more countries abroad. I especially want to take it to America. I want to stage a musical in America that best tells the story of our lands.”

News Source: 12punto