Turkey artists condemn 'crackdown'

2015/01/18 09:57:16 @Entertainment News Headlines — Yahoo! News

Cultural figures are complaining of increased political intervention that could undermine the quality of Western-inspired arts such as classical music, drama and ballet in Turkey. The promotion of Western creative forms was championed by Turkey & #039;s secular modern founder Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, but artists fear this heritage is being lost under the rule of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a pious Muslim. World-renowned Turkish pianist and composer Fazil Say wrote in an open letter that his works had been removed from a state-funded orchestra & #039;s repertoire in a & quot;crackdown on artists & quot;. The Turkish culture ministry has dismissed Say & #039;s letter as a publicity stunt.
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