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x0x Turkish News for the week ending 25 January 2025
[This is a transcript of the news broadcast on 25 January 2025]
Courtesy of Turkish Radio Hour, producer of the
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NEWS
★ On January 21, a fire at a ski resort hotel in Turkey's Bolu province killed 79. Authorities detained 14 people and assigned six prosecutors to investigate.
On January 23, The Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects, the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey, the Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions, and the Istanbul Medical Chamber issued a joint press statement.
The statement highlighted how preventable such tragedies are through regulations and public oversight. "In a system dominated by profit-driven motives, it is us who die in fires, collapse under rubble during earthquakes, become victims of workplace accidents, and get condemned to poverty and hunger," the statement continued.
A preliminary investigation determined that the fire started in the restaurant kitchen, which did not have a sprinkler system.
It also emerged that the builder built the fire escapes improperly, and they carried the fire to other parts of the building. Hotel owners also got a substitute safety report from a private auditing company. Although it is legal, sometimes auditing companies cut corners and issue favorable reports even if the structure does not properly have fire protection, some journalists claim.
Outrage over alleged safety failures at the hotel escalated into a political clash between the government and the opposition-run local authorities.
The municipality in the nearby Bolu City said that it had no jurisdiction over an area governed by the rules of the tourism ministry. However, the tourism ministry blamed the Bolu authorities.
President Erdoğan declared a day of mourning.
On January 23, The Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects, the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey, the Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions, and the Istanbul Medical Chamber issued a joint press statement.
The statement highlighted how preventable such tragedies are through regulations and public oversight. "In a system dominated by profit-driven motives, it is us who die in fires, collapse under rubble during earthquakes, become victims of workplace accidents, and get condemned to poverty and hunger," the statement continued.
A preliminary investigation determined that the fire started in the restaurant kitchen, which did not have a sprinkler system.
It also emerged that the builder built the fire escapes improperly, and they carried the fire to other parts of the building. Hotel owners also got a substitute safety report from a private auditing company. Although it is legal, sometimes auditing companies cut corners and issue favorable reports even if the structure does not properly have fire protection, some journalists claim.
Outrage over alleged safety failures at the hotel escalated into a political clash between the government and the opposition-run local authorities.
The municipality in the nearby Bolu City said that it had no jurisdiction over an area governed by the rules of the tourism ministry. However, the tourism ministry blamed the Bolu authorities.
President Erdoğan declared a day of mourning.
★ A Turkish court dropped the investigation into the extreme-right Nationalist Action Party politicians in the murder of Sinan Ateş, a former party member and a one-time head of the party-affiliated Grey Wolves group.
Ateş's wife claimed at the court that the top Nationalist Action Party politicians were behind the people who killed her husband.
On October 2, an Ankara court sentenced five defendants to aggravated life in prison for the assassination.
Ateş's wife claimed at the court that the top Nationalist Action Party politicians were behind the people who killed her husband.
On October 2, an Ankara court sentenced five defendants to aggravated life in prison for the assassination.
★ On January 22, a Turkish court arrested Ümit Özdağ, the leader of the far-right Victory Party, over the charges of "public incitement to hatred and enmity." The charge carries a prison sentence of 1 to 3 years.
On January 19, prosecutors launched a separate investigation into Ümit Özdağ for insulting the president based on remarks he made about President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a party meeting.
During his speech, Özdağ accused President Erdoğan of "turning the Turkish nation into deists, atheists, and Christians."
On January 19, prosecutors launched a separate investigation into Ümit Özdağ for insulting the president based on remarks he made about President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a party meeting.
During his speech, Özdağ accused President Erdoğan of "turning the Turkish nation into deists, atheists, and Christians."
★ According to VOA, this month, Turkish authorities detained six Kurdish journalists from cities across the country.
Authorities accuse them of being members of a "terrorist organization," a common charge used in legal cases against media in Turkey.
The arrests came the same week the Committee to Protect Journalists named Turkey a leading jailer of journalists. Data from the Committee show eleven journalists currently detained for their work in Turkey, five of whom are Kurdish.
Authorities accuse them of being members of a "terrorist organization," a common charge used in legal cases against media in Turkey.
The arrests came the same week the Committee to Protect Journalists named Turkey a leading jailer of journalists. Data from the Committee show eleven journalists currently detained for their work in Turkey, five of whom are Kurdish.
★ ECONOMY
★ Every week, we find articles on Turkish Airlines and the news. This week, we found two:
One of the articles was on the Simple Flying website. It wrote that The airline carried 37,000 passengers in 2024 and serves 131 countries, more than any other carrier.
It then analyzed the origin and destination of the passengers and mentioned the new destinations it is planning to fly.
>> here <<
The other article appeared on the Aviation Week website. Penned by Kurt Hoffman, it wrote that Bilal Ekşi, the CEO of the Turkish Airline since 2016, sees a time of growth.
One of the articles was on the Simple Flying website. It wrote that The airline carried 37,000 passengers in 2024 and serves 131 countries, more than any other carrier.
It then analyzed the origin and destination of the passengers and mentioned the new destinations it is planning to fly.
>> here <<
The other article appeared on the Aviation Week website. Penned by Kurt Hoffman, it wrote that Bilal Ekşi, the CEO of the Turkish Airline since 2016, sees a time of growth.
★ On January 23, as expected, Turkey's central bank cut its key interest rate by 250 basis points to 45%, carrying on an easing cycle it launched last month alongside a decline in annual inflation the government sees continuing through the year-end.
ARTS AND CULTURE
★ The exhibition "Frida Kahlo's Diaries," previously exhibited in Istanbul and Antalya within the scope of the "Turkey Culture Road Festival" organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, had hosted more than 70 thousand visitors. Following the intense interest, the exhibition again met with art lovers in Istanbul.
The exhibition reveals Kahlo's universe with artificial intelligence-supported interactive experience areas and digital installations. The influence of Diego Rivera, the artist's love, reflected in her works is also evident.
Cengiz Ayyıldız, one of the project directors, said the exhibition focused not only on Kahlo's art but also on her life.
He said, "In this exhibition, a creation presents all her diaries to the visitors. Beyond keeping a diary with standard writing, Frida also reflected her art in her diaries. It is possible to find significant events and people in the artist's life in the exhibition with 52 pages and 52 stories."
Frida Kahlo, born in Mexico in 1907 to a German father and Native American mother, struggled with health problems throughout her life. The artist, who could not fully use one of her legs due to polio at the age of 6, had 32 surgeries after a traffic accident at the age of 18 and was bedridden for a long time.
Her father had a mirror installed on the ceiling of her bed so she could paint. Kahlo painted what she saw in the mirror and stepped into the artistic life. Fifty-five of her 143 works are autobiographical that reflect her physical pain and inner world.
She died in 1954.
Visitors can visit the "Frida Kahlo's Diaries" exhibition at Istanbul's Atatürk Culture Center until March 23, 2025.
The exhibition reveals Kahlo's universe with artificial intelligence-supported interactive experience areas and digital installations. The influence of Diego Rivera, the artist's love, reflected in her works is also evident.
Cengiz Ayyıldız, one of the project directors, said the exhibition focused not only on Kahlo's art but also on her life.
He said, "In this exhibition, a creation presents all her diaries to the visitors. Beyond keeping a diary with standard writing, Frida also reflected her art in her diaries. It is possible to find significant events and people in the artist's life in the exhibition with 52 pages and 52 stories."
Frida Kahlo, born in Mexico in 1907 to a German father and Native American mother, struggled with health problems throughout her life. The artist, who could not fully use one of her legs due to polio at the age of 6, had 32 surgeries after a traffic accident at the age of 18 and was bedridden for a long time.
Her father had a mirror installed on the ceiling of her bed so she could paint. Kahlo painted what she saw in the mirror and stepped into the artistic life. Fifty-five of her 143 works are autobiographical that reflect her physical pain and inner world.
She died in 1954.
Visitors can visit the "Frida Kahlo's Diaries" exhibition at Istanbul's Atatürk Culture Center until March 23, 2025.
★ The prestigious Createurs Design Awards honored renowned Turkish artist Melek Zeynep Bulut with the "Excellence in Art and Design Curation" award in Paris.
The awards ceremony celebrated outstanding achievements across 14 categories, with Bulut receiving recognition for her exceptional work, "DUO."
The Createurs Design Awards also honored other luminaries in the arts and design. The Andree Putman Lifetime Achievement Award went to acclaimed architect Norman Foster. Meanwhile, the Le Prix Charlotte Perriand Award went to Japanese architectural duo Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA, known for their minimalist and poetic approach to architecture.
The awards ceremony celebrated outstanding achievements across 14 categories, with Bulut receiving recognition for her exceptional work, "DUO."
The Createurs Design Awards also honored other luminaries in the arts and design. The Andree Putman Lifetime Achievement Award went to acclaimed architect Norman Foster. Meanwhile, the Le Prix Charlotte Perriand Award went to Japanese architectural duo Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa of SANAA, known for their minimalist and poetic approach to architecture.
★ On its January 20, 2025 online edition, the Turkiye Today had a lengthy article on the Turkish Tulum, a Turkish bagpipe.
The article writes that although the exact date when the Tulum emerged as a musical instrument, musicologists believed that it originated in Mesopotamia.
Greek playwright Aristophanes mentions it in his play The Acharnians, dating to 425 BCE.
Via Anatolia or Thrace, both parts of modern-day Turkey, Romans brought bagpipe-like wind instruments to continental Europe, considered the ancestors of the Scottish bagpipe.
Musicians in Turkey's Black Sea and parts of the Eastern Anatolia regions usually play the instrument.
The link to the full article is on our news dated January 25 on turkradio.us/subject.html
The article writes that although the exact date when the Tulum emerged as a musical instrument, musicologists believed that it originated in Mesopotamia.
Greek playwright Aristophanes mentions it in his play The Acharnians, dating to 425 BCE.
Via Anatolia or Thrace, both parts of modern-day Turkey, Romans brought bagpipe-like wind instruments to continental Europe, considered the ancestors of the Scottish bagpipe.
Musicians in Turkey's Black Sea and parts of the Eastern Anatolia regions usually play the instrument.
The link to the full article is on our news dated January 25 on turkradio.us/subject.html
★ In 2024, extensive archaeological excavations across Antalya brought to light 886 historic artifacts, enriching museum collections and deepening our understanding of the region's rich past.
Known for its stunning landscapes and world-class resorts, Antalya is also a big hub for cultural tourism. The city, home to numerous ancient civilizations, has seen significant archaeological efforts aimed at uncovering, preserving, and restoring its historical heritage.
Archaeologists carried out intensive excavations, restorations, conservations, and site organization efforts in key ancient cities of the Antalya province, including Side, Syedra, Sillyon, Olympos, and Phaselis.
The number of excavations was 28, three of them under the water.
Among the most remarkable discoveries were millefiori glass inlays from Myra-Andriake. These intricate decorative panels, crafted using the millefiori (thousand flowers) technique, are considered extremely rare in terms of quality and craftsmanship, not only in Turkey but around the globe.
Other significant discoveries and events:
Known for its stunning landscapes and world-class resorts, Antalya is also a big hub for cultural tourism. The city, home to numerous ancient civilizations, has seen significant archaeological efforts aimed at uncovering, preserving, and restoring its historical heritage.
Archaeologists carried out intensive excavations, restorations, conservations, and site organization efforts in key ancient cities of the Antalya province, including Side, Syedra, Sillyon, Olympos, and Phaselis.
The number of excavations was 28, three of them under the water.
Among the most remarkable discoveries were millefiori glass inlays from Myra-Andriake. These intricate decorative panels, crafted using the millefiori (thousand flowers) technique, are considered extremely rare in terms of quality and craftsmanship, not only in Turkey but around the globe.
Other significant discoveries and events:
- Phaselis: Unearthing of an archaic period structure at the Harbor Street area.
- Phaselis: Discovery of An altar dedicated to Apollo, along with small votive statues.
- Side: Reopening of the museum with renewed display of artifacts.
- Side: discovery of a mosaic floor depicting Kalliope, the muse of epic poetry.
- Syedra: Unearthing of an exceptionally well-preserved mosaic. Also, intact olive oil workshops discovery.
- Myra: discovery of an ornate sarcophagus within the church of St. Nicholas.
- Aspendos: Unearthing 2,000-year-old statues of Zeus and Aphrodite
★ The hunting lodge of Russian Tsar Nicholas II in Sarıkamış in Turkey's Eastern province of Kars is facing the imminent danger of collapse because of neglect. The 19th-century architectural gem is in one of Turkey's top winter tourism destinations and desperately needs restoration.
When the area was under Russian occupation, Built in 1896 without using nails, the hunting lodge once hosted distinguished guests, while the main lodge served multiple purposes over the years, including as a hospital and palace.
Though locally known as "Catherine's Lodge," Tsar Nicholas II used the building originally as a rehabilitation center for his ailing son, Aleksi. Additionally, it functioned as a hunting lodge for the royal family during both winter and summer months.
When the area was under Russian occupation, Built in 1896 without using nails, the hunting lodge once hosted distinguished guests, while the main lodge served multiple purposes over the years, including as a hospital and palace.
Though locally known as "Catherine's Lodge," Tsar Nicholas II used the building originally as a rehabilitation center for his ailing son, Aleksi. Additionally, it functioned as a hunting lodge for the royal family during both winter and summer months.
The hunting lodge of Russian Tsar Nicholas II in Sarıkamış
★ The Türkiye Today reports that Kaytan, also known as Çarpana weaving, is experiencing a revival. This ancient technique, with origins dating back to the 4th millennium BCE., has been passed down through generations.
Today, it remains an active tradition in regions like Trabzon, Şalpazarı, Tonya, and Düzköy in the Eastern Black Sea area. While its presence endures in these communities, the production methods have evolved significantly.
Historically, Kaytan weaving was employed for binding baskets, crafting straps, and embellishing clothing.
These days, the versatile technique is applied to producing diverse products like bags, bracelets, necklaces, and home decor, blending timeless craftsmanship with contemporary appeal and ensuring its relevance in modern times.
The growing interest in workshops dedicated to preserving and teaching Kaytan weaving is a testament to its adaptability and cultural significance.
Today, it remains an active tradition in regions like Trabzon, Şalpazarı, Tonya, and Düzköy in the Eastern Black Sea area. While its presence endures in these communities, the production methods have evolved significantly.
Historically, Kaytan weaving was employed for binding baskets, crafting straps, and embellishing clothing.
These days, the versatile technique is applied to producing diverse products like bags, bracelets, necklaces, and home decor, blending timeless craftsmanship with contemporary appeal and ensuring its relevance in modern times.
The growing interest in workshops dedicated to preserving and teaching Kaytan weaving is a testament to its adaptability and cultural significance.
★ The first solo exhibition in Turkey by American contemporary artist Jason Stopa, titled Interior Monument, opens on January 30 at Sevil Dolmacı Art Gallery in Istanbul.
Hosted at Sevil Dolmacı Art Gallery, located in Villa Ipranosyan, the exhibition will feature a special selection of works starting January 30.
Jason Stopa adopts an approach that questions the relationship between color, light, and space while exploring the boundaries between digital and physical painting.
His creative process involves using oil paint with broad brushstrokes and transparent layers, inviting viewers to engage with the materiality and physical presence of the artwork beyond digital imagery.
Drawing inspiration from his interest in architectural history and art, the artist reflects these influences in his works, particularly referencing Archizoom's unrealized No-Stop City project.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Jason Stopa is a renowned artist in the field of abstract painting. He earned his undergraduate degree at Indiana University Bloomington and completed his master's at Pratt Institute. Stopa currently teaches at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Hosted at Sevil Dolmacı Art Gallery, located in Villa Ipranosyan, the exhibition will feature a special selection of works starting January 30.
Jason Stopa adopts an approach that questions the relationship between color, light, and space while exploring the boundaries between digital and physical painting.
His creative process involves using oil paint with broad brushstrokes and transparent layers, inviting viewers to engage with the materiality and physical presence of the artwork beyond digital imagery.
Drawing inspiration from his interest in architectural history and art, the artist reflects these influences in his works, particularly referencing Archizoom's unrealized No-Stop City project.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Jason Stopa is a renowned artist in the field of abstract painting. He earned his undergraduate degree at Indiana University Bloomington and completed his master's at Pratt Institute. Stopa currently teaches at the Fashion Institute of Technology.
★ Galeri MERKUR begins 2025 with an exhibition that pushes the boundaries of abstract painting.
Curated by Levent Çalıkoğlu, Power and Fragility features works by two young artists from the Dusseldorf Academy of Fine Arts, Nadine Sengstock and Hanna Effen.
The exhibition explores both the strength and fragility inherent in abstract painting, showcasing the expressive possibilities of this medium through two distinct artistic viewpoints.
Curated by Levent Çalıkoğlu, Power and Fragility features works by two young artists from the Dusseldorf Academy of Fine Arts, Nadine Sengstock and Hanna Effen.
The exhibition explores both the strength and fragility inherent in abstract painting, showcasing the expressive possibilities of this medium through two distinct artistic viewpoints.
★ Arter's 2025 exhibition program began with Angelica Mesiti's solo exhibition Future Perfect Continuous, where eleven performers re-enact the sound of a rainstorm using hand gestures and body percussion - and a series of prints depicting photographs of fossilized raindrops.
Simultaneously, visitors can experience Can Aytekin's Wall Drawing, designed for Arter's entrance atrium wall.
Arter is a contemporary art museum in the Dolapdere district of Istanbul, Turkey.
A subsidiary of the Vehbi Koç Foundation, Arter was opened in 2010 to provide a sustainable infrastructure for producing and exhibiting contemporary art.
Simultaneously, visitors can experience Can Aytekin's Wall Drawing, designed for Arter's entrance atrium wall.
Arter is a contemporary art museum in the Dolapdere district of Istanbul, Turkey.
A subsidiary of the Vehbi Koç Foundation, Arter was opened in 2010 to provide a sustainable infrastructure for producing and exhibiting contemporary art.
★ Celebrating its 15th year in art, on January 16, Turkish capital Ankara's contemporary art center, CerModern, started to present Saygun Dura's exhibition titled "ARADA." Dr. Ergin Çavuşoğlu is the curator of the exhibition.
The exhibition features two thematic sections inspired by Dura's five years of work at Lake Van.
While exploring the delicate boundaries between nature and humanity, the artist turns his lens toward the endangered ecosystem.
On the one hand, Dura captures the migratory journey of the pearl mullet, focusing on the challenges faced by this endangered species in its life cycle.
On the other hand, he unveils the sculptural forms of the lake's underwater silent architects - microbialites - through powerful metaphors in his photographs.
Saygun Dura, born in 1964, worked as a photographer and photograph director in an advertising agency between 1989 and 1996.
Since then, he has been continuing his career as an advertising photographer in his studio.
Dura has given seminars on advertising and creative photography. He has also given lectures in "Advertising Photography, Studio, and Light Techniques" at various universities in the Istanbul area.
The exhibition will be through February 16, 2025.
The exhibition features two thematic sections inspired by Dura's five years of work at Lake Van.
While exploring the delicate boundaries between nature and humanity, the artist turns his lens toward the endangered ecosystem.
On the one hand, Dura captures the migratory journey of the pearl mullet, focusing on the challenges faced by this endangered species in its life cycle.
On the other hand, he unveils the sculptural forms of the lake's underwater silent architects - microbialites - through powerful metaphors in his photographs.
Saygun Dura, born in 1964, worked as a photographer and photograph director in an advertising agency between 1989 and 1996.
Since then, he has been continuing his career as an advertising photographer in his studio.
Dura has given seminars on advertising and creative photography. He has also given lectures in "Advertising Photography, Studio, and Light Techniques" at various universities in the Istanbul area.
The exhibition will be through February 16, 2025.
For more details, see the Anna Laudel Istanbul >> here <<