Ministry of Culture and Tourism responds to Fazıl Say: 'Our doors are open to you'

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Batuhan Mumcu has responded to Fazıl Say's remarks that he "never received a single invitation from the Atatürk Cultural Center or the Ministry of Culture and Tourism." The Ministry's statement included the phrase, "The doors of our art institutions are wide open to you."

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Ministry of Culture and Tourism responds to Fazıl Say: 'Our doors are open to you'

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Batuhan Mumcu responded on social media to the remarks made by renowned pianist and composer Fazıl Say, who stated, "I give 130 concerts a year in cities all over the world. I have never received an invitation from Turkey or the ministry."

Mumcu said, "It would make us extremely happy for you to perform your art in all of our venues belonging to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, especially the Atatürk Cultural Center and CSO Ada Ankara."

Pianist and composer Fazıl Say expressed his belief that he is being censored in Turkey on social media, stating, "I have never received a single invitation from the Istanbul Atatürk Cultural Center or the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. A new concert hall was built in Ankara; I never received a single invitation. All Turkish musicians are playing. It is a shame. I give 130 concerts a year all over the world. There is such a restriction on me in the concert halls of my own country. There is a palpable censorship."

Deputy Minister of Culture and Tourism Mumcu responded to Fazıl Say via social media:

"I have learned with sadness of your statements regarding our Ministry in your post. As someone who follows your concerts with interest and tries to attend whenever I find the opportunity, I would like to share a small correction regarding your posts in order to prevent any potential polemics.

When your concerts in Switzerland were canceled last month on the grounds that you supported our President's statements regarding Palestine, I personally called your manager, Mr. Taner, as Deputy Minister, and expressed that we would be extremely pleased to see you on stage at our Antalya Culture Road Festival.

Mr. Taner stated that you would not be able to be included in our festival program, citing your busy international schedule. We aim for culture and art in Turkey to reach everyone as a unifying element.

It would make us extremely happy for an artist who represents our country successfully on a global scale to perform their art in all of our venues belonging to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, especially the Atatürk Cultural Center and CSO Ada Ankara.

I would like to emphasize that the doors of all our art institutions are wide open to you today, just as they were yesterday."

News Source: İHA