The play “An Alp Written in the Sky”, which deals with Ziya Gökalp’s understanding of culture, language, nation and identity, staged by the General Directorate of State Theaters of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, will meet theater lovers from Gostivar, Skopje and Prizren as part of its first international tour.
The press briefing meeting held in the meeting hall of Skopje Yunus Emre Institute (YEE) was followed by representatives of Macedonian Radio and Television as well as journalists from local press organizations in North Macedonia.
At the meeting, members of the press were informed about the play, which brings sections from Ziya Gökalp’s life and world of thought, and the program of the Balkan tour.
It was especially emphasized that the work will be performed before an audience outside Türkiye for the first time within the scope of this tour.
In his speech here, TURKSOY Deputy Secretary General Sayit Yusuf gave information about the history and purpose of TURKSOY.
Emphasizing that the organization was established to increase cultural communication, relations, cooperation and production between the Turkish Republics, but that they were not indifferent to the Turks in other places, Yusuf emphasized the importance of North Macedonia in terms of Turkish history.
Yusuf stated that Northern Macedonia, where there are many Turkish-speaking and sister communities of Turkish origin, is a “special and important” geography in terms of TURKSOY activities.
Explaining that TURKSOY gives the name of a valuable person raised by the Turkic world every year to that year, Yusuf noted that they organize activities to ensure that this person is known and understood, and that his ideas are recognized, especially in all Turkish geographies and in the world.
Pointing out that this year was dedicated to Ziya Gökalp on the 150th anniversary of his birth, Yusuf reminded that the decision was taken unanimously upon the suggestion of the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy.
Yusuf underlined that they wanted a play expressing Gökalp’s ideas to be staged on this occasion, and said that the play, whose premiere was in Ankara, was also staged in Gökalp’s hometown, Diyarbakır.
Stating that it was a “very special” work for them to have the play “An Alp Written in the Sky” meet with the audience in North Macedonia, Yusuf expressed his gratitude to the relevant institutions.
“It will be a great game”
YEE Skopje Coordinator Yunus Dilber invited theater lovers to watch this important play and said, “It will be a very nice play. Our compatriots in the Balkans will especially benefit from this play. I hope they will like it.” he said.
Halkbank AD Skopje General Manager Fatih Şahbaz expressed their pride in taking part in such a beautiful organization and emphasized that it is valuable for them to leave a beautiful mark in the national memory, history and the Balkans. Şahbaz stated that, as Halkbank, they continue to support culture and art in the Balkans.
Osman Ali, Director of the National Institution Skopje Turkish Theatre, stated that they were honored to host the play in which a value raised by the Turkish world such as Ziya Gökalp is depicted and said, “For 76 years, we have always made an effort to keep the Turkish culture and language alive and to take this forward as an institution with state status.” he said.
– “A work that describes a process in a person’s identity”
Burçin Özserezli, Foreign Relations Officer of the General Directorate of State Theatres, said that the play written by Derya Özer and directed by Cem Sel is “a work that tells not only a person, but a process in a person’s identity.” defined as.
Ankara State Theater artist Murat Kesim, who played Ziya Gökalp in the play, said that he was proud to be in the Balkans and honored to portray a person who is considered the father of “Turkism” on stage.
Stating that they had emotional moments while working on the play, Kesim reminded that they performed it in Diyarbakır after Ankara and said, “Playing him in the land where he was born, going to his house, thinking about the things he went through in the room where he stayed made me very emotional.” he said.
An Alp Written in the Sky
The play, which conveys Ziya Gökalp’s understanding of culture, language, nation and identity to the audience through the language of theatre, is about Gökalp’s intellectual journey from his childhood years to the founding of the Republic. The play deals with the memory of society, the will to exist and the search for ideals through the life of a thinker.
“An Alp Written in the Sky” will have its first international screening today at 19.00 local time at the Gostivar Culture House. The play will meet art lovers tomorrow at 20.00 at the Skopje Comedy Theatre.
The last stop of the tour will be Prizren, Kosovo. The work will be staged as the closing play of the 2nd International Prizren Turkish Theater Festival, which will be held at the Cemali Berisha Culture House on September 13.
The tour will be held in cooperation with the General Directorate of State Theatres, TURKSOY and Yunus Emre Institute, with the contributions of the Union of Turkish Non-Governmental Organizations of Macedonia, Skopje Turkish Theater and Halkbank.
The tour, organized on the 150th anniversary of Ziya Gökalp’s birth, aims to bring together the thinker’s cultural heritage with the Turkish society and the people of the region in the Balkans, as well as contribute to the cultural ties between Türkiye and the Balkans.
