Turkish pianist to government: don’t be afraid of arts

Turkish pianist to government: don’t be afraid of arts

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Presidential Symphony Orchestra of Turkey has dropped three compositions by the Turkish concert pianist Fazil Say from its programs this season, the latest attack on a musician who has been a vocal critic of the government, the New York Times reports.

Say released an open letter to the government this week protesting the move and calling on officials not to be ‘‘afraid of the arts.’’

‘‘Come on, be able to change your attitude of ‘censorship,’ which sparks astonishment and fury in the entire world,’’ he wrote from Beijing, where he is on tour. ‘‘Do not be destructive.’’

He continued, ‘‘Don’t be afraid of arts and artists. It’s not a military force. It’s just musicians, actors, dancers. Humans. Ordinary citizens.’’

The European Union, in a report this month, cited increasing government pressure on the media, social online networks and opponents as well as shortcomings in freedom of expression. Turkey is seeking European Union membership.

The Culture Ministry, in a statement to the semiofficial Anadolu News Agency, denied that Say’s works were censored and said that another of his compositions would remain on a program.

The works in question are Say’s ‘‘Istanbul Symphony,’’ ‘‘Water’’ for piano and orchestra, and ‘‘Hermiyas: The Boy on the Dolphin.’’

The acrimony between Say, 44, and the government surfaced last year when the pianist, who identifies himself as an atheist, was charged with insulting Islam and offending Muslims in postings on Twitter. He received a 10-month suspended sentence.

Several of his concerts have been canceled in Turkey. The mayor of Antalya, who belongs to the governing Justice and Development Party, in April expressed his unwillingness to work with the artist at the Antalya Piano Festival, where Say had been artistic director since 2000.

Opposition deputies have asked for an official explanation about why the works were dropped.

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