Frankfurt Turkish Theater Festival opens: 'We dedicated it to Ayla Algan'

At the opening of the festival, John Steinbeck's novel, in a translation by Zeynep Avcı and directed by Gökhan Kocaoğlu, the İzmir State Theater's production of 'Of Mice and Men' was performed. met with the audience.

The festival, chaired by Tiyatro Frankfurt General Artistic Director Kamil Kellecioğlu, was realized with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Republic of Türkiye's Consulate General in Frankfurt, the Frankfurt Metropolitan Municipality, the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities, Ziraat Bank, Turkish Airlines, and the Altındal Group.

The festival is also supported by Frankfurt Consul General Erdem Tunçer and Frankfurt City Council President Hilime Arslaner. is being held under the auspices of.

Speaking at the opening at the Gallus Theatre, Tunçer expressed his gratitude to the artists and theater workers who traveled from Turkey to participate in the festival.

'SHE WANTED VERY MUCH TO BE WITH US THIS YEAR, BUT...'

Tunçer said, "We also extend our thanks to the doyens of our theater who give our festival its spirit, such as Tamer Levent, Haldun Dormen, and Ayşenil Şamlıoğlu, for their support of our theater and our festival. I would like to open a special parenthesis for our great artist Ayla Algan.

Of course, she was a very great theater professional and an exceptional artist. However, what made Ayla Algan even more special to us was her incredibly heartfelt support and contribution to the Frankfurt Turkish Theater Festival. She wanted very much to be with us this year, but she could not. May her soul rest in peace. She left us an unforgettable legacy." he said.

Arslaner also noted the following:

"In our region, where a multicultural life exists, Turkish theater has also become an indispensable part of the society we live in for 11 years.

This is, of course, a success for Tiyatro Frankfurt. I would like to thank the entire team from the bottom of my heart. This situation contributes to our children, who grow up intertwined with a different culture, getting to know their own culture, developing a sense of belonging, and strengthening their self-confidence."

'WE DEDICATED THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL TO AYLA ALGAN'

The festival's honorary president, actor Tamer Levent, pointed out that the festival's continuation for 11 years shows that it has now proven itself, stating, "When we started this festival 11 years ago, we were saying 'Yes to art.' Today, in the millennium we are in, we actually want to describe the entirety of life with the phrase 'Yes to art.' We want to explain that in the entirety of life, humans need a certain quality." he said.

Kamil Kellecioğlu, on the other hand, underlined that the festival also has a special place for the Turkish community and made the following assessments:

"We dedicated this year's festival to Ayla Algan and organized a memorial night. Ayla Algan was an artist who valued her national identity enough to reject an offer for the film 'Funny Girl' when an eight-year contract was placed in front of her, with the warning, 'If you sign this, you won't be able to buy yourself back even with your own money.' Ayla Algan's [wish was], 'I really want Turkish theater to exist in Europe.'

It is with the belief that the words 'I will fight for this until my last breath' serve as a legacy and advice to us that we are holding the opening of our festival, having braved many difficulties alongside our fellow theater enthusiasts and supporters."

Detailed information and the event schedule for the festival, which will continue until May 26, can be found at "www.tiyatrofrankfurt.com".

News Source: 12punto