Turkey bans Dalaras' concert

[Prokomenos]

I originally saw this on
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Outcry in Greece over Turkish axing of Greek singer's concert
Monday, July 16, 2007

ATHENS


Greece has criticised a decision by authorities in Turkey's largest city Istanbul to cancel a Sunday concert by one of its most famous artists, folk singer George Dalaras.

"The decision...to cancel at the last minute the planned concert of an internationally renowned artist who is particularly popular in Turkey raises doubts," the Greek foreign ministry said in a statement

The Istanbul governor's office said the concert would be cancelled because Dalaras had not submitted the necessary visa documents in time, the Turkish daily Sabah reported.

But the foreign ministry statement said, "What is presented as justification for this decision sounds like a pretext."

Dalaras, a goodwill ambassador for the United Nations refugee agency, was scheduled to perform in the medieval Turkish fortress Rumeli Hisarı during a conference of Orthodox youth organised by the Istanbul-based Patriarchate.

Both Turkish and Greek media said that Dalaras' outspoken criticism of Turkey's Cyprus policy was also a factor in the cancellation.

"In an interview with Greek channel ET1 six months ago, Dalaras said 'If Cyprus cannot be Greek, then I'm not setting foot in Turkey'," the Turkish Daily News reported.

The singer himself said Turkey's July 22 legislative elections had created a sensitive atmosphere in the Turkish capital.

"I did not expect this, we set out with very good intentions...to sing songs about our two peoples," Dalaras told Net state television.

"I imagine that because we are in an election campaign, perhaps certain people were able to aggravate the situation by writing inaccuracies in the press...and the authorities came under pressure (to cancel the concert)."

[Megale]

Originally Posted by Prokomenos
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I originally saw this on
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Turkey should actually be thankful that Western muscians are showing up to play to them. I guess this might be a wake up call to Dalaras that the Turks don't like anyone disagreeing with them on anything, regardless its right or wrong.

[Prokomenos]

Pretty much that is good it just shows that the Turkish government has a lot of improvement to do if they want to get into the EU.

[MarinaEllas]

Im sure the turkish fans of dalaras must be real ticked off.
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[Ellinas]

Originally Posted by Megale
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Turkey should actually be thankful that Western muscians are showing up to play to them. I guess this might be a wake up call to Dalaras that the Turks don't like anyone disagreeing with them on anything, regardless its right or wrong.

I heard a Turkish official calling Dalaras a nationalist and blaming him for supporting the Cypriots and the Kurds. It looks like he forgot the concerts Dalaras gave to support the strickens of the 1999 earthquakes in Turkey.

[Anngora]

Concerts were given in Rumeli Fortress from time to time but it's use was prohibited by the Archaeological Service some time ago.

As for Dalaras case,I think the main problem is his participation in pro-Ocalan concerts in Athens.

[Anngora]

Originally Posted by Megale
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Turkey should actually be thankful that Western muscians are showing up to play to them. I guess this might be a wake up call to Dalaras that the Turks don't like anyone disagreeing with them on anything, regardless its right or wrong.

Well Megale, I don't see any reason to be thankful to anyone.

Apart from this, Dalaras concert was part of the World Congress of Orthodox Youth, organized by the Patriarchate, for the Greek community.

[Megale]

Originally Posted by Anngora
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Well Megale, I don't see any reason to be thankful to anyone.

Apart from this, Dalaras concert was part of the World Congress of Orthodox Youth, organized by the Patriarchate, for the Greek community.

Thats reason enough to cancel the Dalaras concert for them.