6 min
100 Years: Ballet and the Turkish Revolution The Dance Lens Hosted by Cynthia Dragoni
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- Arts
What does ballet have to do with the development and reputation of the Turkish Republic?
This is a part of our artists in diaspora series where we’ll hear about the life and work of an artist living outside their homeland, some have left for artistic reasons, some for political and others it was simply where the wind blew them. We’ll also learn about the dance scene in their native country and the historical and political context in which it developed.
Ballet and the arts in general have been used for centuries as a way to communicate to the public the power, sophistication and ideals of whoever is in power, be it a pope, a prince, a queen, a ruling party or a nation. Many great works of art have come out of this relationship between those holding power and the artist, a famous example is of course Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel commissioned by the church.
This was also a part of the story when the Turkish Republic was formed 100 years ago, in 1923. Following the end of WW1 the remaining parts of the empire had been given to Greece, France, Italy and Britain and it became occupied territory.
This occupation prompted the formation of the Turkish Liberation Movement.
When Atatürk, a leader of the movement united the country he was quoted as saying: “The basis of Turkish Republic is culture”. Come with us to hear what happened next and where ballet is in Turkey today.
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What does ballet have to do with the development and reputation of the Turkish Republic?
This is a part of our artists in diaspora series where we’ll hear about the life and work of an artist living outside their homeland, some have left for artistic reasons, some for political and others it was simply where the wind blew them. We’ll also learn about the dance scene in their native country and the historical and political context in which it developed.
Ballet and the arts in general have been used for centuries as a way to communicate to the public the power, sophistication and ideals of whoever is in power, be it a pope, a prince, a queen, a ruling party or a nation. Many great works of art have come out of this relationship between those holding power and the artist, a famous example is of course Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel commissioned by the church.
This was also a part of the story when the Turkish Republic was formed 100 years ago, in 1923. Following the end of WW1 the remaining parts of the empire had been given to Greece, France, Italy and Britain and it became occupied territory.
This occupation prompted the formation of the Turkish Liberation Movement.
When Atatürk, a leader of the movement united the country he was quoted as saying: “The basis of Turkish Republic is culture”. Come with us to hear what happened next and where ballet is in Turkey today.
Follow me on Tiktok
Want updates about shows and training opportunities? Join my email list:)
6 min