Cultural word mobilize against demolition of Emek cinema
Cultural word mobilize against demolition of Emek cinema
Artists staged a parade on Sunday against the planned demolition of the Emek Cinema, one of the symbols of Istanbul. On the site of the cinema the government plans to build a shopping center, yet another "non-place". Speaking to ANF, artists said they will not remain silent against the intentions to sweep away the memory of the Turkish cinema.
The demolition of the symbol of Istiklal Street, Emek (Labor) Cinema and the building of Demirören shopping center with the approval of Beyoglu Municipality pushed hundreds of people to occupy Demirören to state their opposition at the approval of AKP’s municipalities to these projects. Among the protestors carrying the banner “Leave Emek, pull Demirören down” were also important names of the cultural scene of Istanbul such as Meltem Cumbul, Sebnem Dönmez, singer Feridun Düzagac, Reviewer Atilla Dorsay.
The Emek Cinema is not the only symbol of Istanbul intended to be demolished under the name of "urban renewal". Many historical locations such as Serkildoryan are planned to be pulled down and replaced with convention and shopping centers and hotels. The artists who chained the Emek cinema send a loud message to the government.
After the parade arrived at the Emek Movie Theater, well-known Turkish actor Tuncel Kurtiz issued a brief press statement, stressing that the ruling AKP (Justice and Development Party), was trying to remove cultural and historical values in Istanbul. “We have not been able to protect those values up until now, I am sad to admit; however, we must do it from now on, at least. Ferhan Þensoy rescued the Ses Theater. Similarly, we will not let them lay their hands on the Emek and its historical heritage.”
The press statement, which was read aloud by actor Mert Fýrat, stated the fact that Beyoðlu Mayor Ahmet Misbah Demircan, Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuðrul Günay and Fatih Keskün, the architect of the project, had misinformed the public with vague descriptions of the plans. This, the statement read, conveyed the idea that Emek theater was being moved “upstairs” not being “demolished.”
“An Emek Theater that has lost its contact with the streets,” the statement said, “is not Emek, at all.”
“We are against granting a construction permit for this attempt,” the statement said, adding that the neighborhoods of Balat, Ayvansaray and Baþýbüyük would also be targeted in the future.
“They [AKP] officials have burned the forests down and inappropriately bestowed those lands to ‘their men,’ now it’s the turn for the urban centers,” said well-known actor Güven Kýraç, speaking to the press after the statement.
The Platform Against the Demolition of the Emek Movie Theater also organized an award ceremony including a film screening after the demonstration, in which Demircan, Günay and Keskün were awarded a “plastic tulip,” alluding to Istanbul Film Festival’s Golden Tulip award, thereby concluding their protest in festive spirits.
Opened in the 1920′s, the baroque Emek Theater, also known as Melek, is one of the most beautiful cinemas in Turkey.
Located in the historic Beyoðlu district of Istanbul, state owned 86 year old movie palace Emek is as old as the Republic of Turkey. It is not only the symbolic movie theater of Turkey or the host of International Istanbul Film Festival for the last 20 years but also one the few independent movie theaters left in Turkey where the market is dominated by two multiplex movie theater chains. Now officials of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality are talking about a shopping mall project that will includes restaurants, stores, a Madame Tussauds museum and 10 theaters. On the top of these they want to move Emek Theater. This project, which never was openly declared to the public, also covers the Cercle D’ Orient, Ýpek and Rüia theaters of Yeþilçam Street. The big problem is represented by the lack of information; the project it’ s on a context which is not accessible to everyone. It is also known that a destruction project it was discussed for the historical Emek Theater 13 years ago. But today’ s project, signed by the Istanbul and Beyoðlu municipalities and run by Turkmall and Kamer construction companies, clearly prepares for the demolition of the cinema hall once the license is approved.
According to the Turkish press reports of the project, parts of the Emek such as the ceiling and the ornaments will be removed from the theater before demolition and will be put back in place in the replica Emek Theater which will be build inside the mall and placed side by side with other movieplex theaters inside the shopping mall.
In the trial with the Chamber of architects, Emek Theater is was supported , beacause it represents a cultural heritage of Turkey. Emek Theater is a public property, not a privately one. It’ s not legal to relocate a cultural asset. Protecting a cultural asset, it will be also protecting the memories. The Turkish Professional Engineers and Architects Association, had petitioned Turkish court on March 12, 2010, to stop a potentially imminent demolition.
The demolition of the symbol of Istiklal Street, Emek (Labor) Cinema and the building of Demirören shopping center with the approval of Beyoglu Municipality pushed hundreds of people to occupy Demirören to state their opposition at the approval of AKP’s municipalities to these projects. Among the protestors carrying the banner “Leave Emek, pull Demirören down” were also important names of the cultural scene of Istanbul such as Meltem Cumbul, Sebnem Dönmez, singer Feridun Düzagac, Reviewer Atilla Dorsay.
The Emek Cinema is not the only symbol of Istanbul intended to be demolished under the name of "urban renewal". Many historical locations such as Serkildoryan are planned to be pulled down and replaced with convention and shopping centers and hotels. The artists who chained the Emek cinema send a loud message to the government.
After the parade arrived at the Emek Movie Theater, well-known Turkish actor Tuncel Kurtiz issued a brief press statement, stressing that the ruling AKP (Justice and Development Party), was trying to remove cultural and historical values in Istanbul. “We have not been able to protect those values up until now, I am sad to admit; however, we must do it from now on, at least. Ferhan Þensoy rescued the Ses Theater. Similarly, we will not let them lay their hands on the Emek and its historical heritage.”
The press statement, which was read aloud by actor Mert Fýrat, stated the fact that Beyoðlu Mayor Ahmet Misbah Demircan, Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuðrul Günay and Fatih Keskün, the architect of the project, had misinformed the public with vague descriptions of the plans. This, the statement read, conveyed the idea that Emek theater was being moved “upstairs” not being “demolished.”
“An Emek Theater that has lost its contact with the streets,” the statement said, “is not Emek, at all.”
“We are against granting a construction permit for this attempt,” the statement said, adding that the neighborhoods of Balat, Ayvansaray and Baþýbüyük would also be targeted in the future.
“They [AKP] officials have burned the forests down and inappropriately bestowed those lands to ‘their men,’ now it’s the turn for the urban centers,” said well-known actor Güven Kýraç, speaking to the press after the statement.
The Platform Against the Demolition of the Emek Movie Theater also organized an award ceremony including a film screening after the demonstration, in which Demircan, Günay and Keskün were awarded a “plastic tulip,” alluding to Istanbul Film Festival’s Golden Tulip award, thereby concluding their protest in festive spirits.
Opened in the 1920′s, the baroque Emek Theater, also known as Melek, is one of the most beautiful cinemas in Turkey.
Located in the historic Beyoðlu district of Istanbul, state owned 86 year old movie palace Emek is as old as the Republic of Turkey. It is not only the symbolic movie theater of Turkey or the host of International Istanbul Film Festival for the last 20 years but also one the few independent movie theaters left in Turkey where the market is dominated by two multiplex movie theater chains. Now officials of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality are talking about a shopping mall project that will includes restaurants, stores, a Madame Tussauds museum and 10 theaters. On the top of these they want to move Emek Theater. This project, which never was openly declared to the public, also covers the Cercle D’ Orient, Ýpek and Rüia theaters of Yeþilçam Street. The big problem is represented by the lack of information; the project it’ s on a context which is not accessible to everyone. It is also known that a destruction project it was discussed for the historical Emek Theater 13 years ago. But today’ s project, signed by the Istanbul and Beyoðlu municipalities and run by Turkmall and Kamer construction companies, clearly prepares for the demolition of the cinema hall once the license is approved.
According to the Turkish press reports of the project, parts of the Emek such as the ceiling and the ornaments will be removed from the theater before demolition and will be put back in place in the replica Emek Theater which will be build inside the mall and placed side by side with other movieplex theaters inside the shopping mall.
In the trial with the Chamber of architects, Emek Theater is was supported , beacause it represents a cultural heritage of Turkey. Emek Theater is a public property, not a privately one. It’ s not legal to relocate a cultural asset. Protecting a cultural asset, it will be also protecting the memories. The Turkish Professional Engineers and Architects Association, had petitioned Turkish court on March 12, 2010, to stop a potentially imminent demolition.
