Culture minister plays down festival bans in Türkiye

Photo: AA/File

In the face of several music festivals over the past few months, the minister of culture and tourism has said that the bans can be appealed.

"The fewer the restrictions, the better it is for us. They should be even no restrictions at all, if possible," he told daily Hürriyet in an interview published today (September 14).

"In some regions, sensitivities may arise and district governor's may rarely issue decisions of ban," he said. "If it is thought that there is an unfair practice, a correction can be requested through legal means."

Festival and concert bans

Since May, the authorities have banned several music festivals throughout the country, mostly citing "public security" reasons.

In some cities, festivals were banned after pressure from religious and pro-government groups over "immoral activities" in such events.

In May, the Governor of Eskişehir banned the Anadolu Fest, a rock festival, in the Central Anatolian city of Eskişehir, which also known as a "student city."

Last month, the Zeytinli Rock Festival, which had been held since 2004 in Balıkesir, northwestern Türkiye, was banned for "public security" reasons as well.

Days before the ban, the Balıkesir branch of the Community for Spreading Wisdom (İlim Yayma Cemiyeti), one of the largest conservative foundations in Türkiye, released a statement condemning the festival, where it claimed "prostitution, rape and harassment took place in public."

The Fethiye Music Festival, the Zonguldak Kozlu Music Festival, the Munzur Culture and Nature Festival, the Kaz Mountains Ecology Festival were als banned.

Provincial and district governors, as well as municipalities, have also banned concerts of several musicians over the past couple of years. Government circles have mostly accused those musicians of "supporing terrorism." (VK)