Zülfü Livaneli requested that his work titled "Yiğidim Aslanım" not be used by the YENİ Party.
In a statement made from the artist's X account, it was stated: "Since the lament titled 'Yiğidim Aslanım' is repeated too often at rallies, Livaneli has requested that it no longer be played by the YENİ Party. The only reason here is to include pieces that will support the public's enthusiasm instead of a lament. No one should look for anything else behind this."
"OF COURSE THE YENİ PARTY CAN PLAY IT WHENEVER IT WANTS"
Following this decision, which sparked debate, a new statement came from Livaneli. Speaking on Sözcü TV, Livaneli said that he did not ban the use of his work.
Stating that the song is a lament describing past sorrows, the artist conveyed that he had suggested to YENİ Party Chairman Özgür Özel that using different works might be more appropriate.
Livaneli used the following expressions in his statement:
"Actually, we have become a nation very fond of creating a storm in a teacup. Almost everything becomes a matter of political polarization. Of course, the YENİ Party can play it whenever it wants. I was receiving a lot of criticism. That the energy is being dampened, etc... Because this is a lament. It belongs to the past. It commemorates the past, with lyrics by Bedri Rahmi Eyüboğlu. It is a piece that was made first for Nâzım, then for Deniz Gezmiş, then for Uğur Mumcu, and then for the martyrs of democracy. I conveyed this to Mr. Chairman Özgür Özel through a friend. I said, not this one, maybe 'Ey Özgürlük' or 'Merhaba'... I said it more for their sake as well. I didn't say 'don't play my piece' or anything like that. It might be better for the party."
REACTION TO PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDACY CLAIMS
Livaneli also responded to the presidential candidacy claims that have recently come to the fore on social media. Stating that the claims made about him are baseless, the artist emphasized that he has no thoughts of candidacy regarding politics.
Livaneli continued his words as follows:
"I cannot believe how many lies there are out there. That person even said, 'he doesn't write his books himself.' These are insane ravings. I am over 80 years old. I want to write my books and sing my compositions and folk songs in peace. We already died and came back to life with my wife's illness process. We almost pulled her back from the other world. While dealing with such trouble, let Turkey also be a little better. One person throws that lie from there, another throws this lie from here. Don't do it, my brother, give us peace, give us peace. I will not be president or anything. For God's sake, get this into your heads. I don't mean anything by it. Give us peace, my brother. I am an artist of this country who has passed the age of 80. That is all I am, nothing more than that."
News Source: 12punto
