AKP-run municipalities persist in concert bans following artists' support for LGBTI+, opposition

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Multiple concerts of artists who expressed support for the LGBTI+ community or the opposition have been canceled by municipalities led by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

The Denizli Metropolitan Municipality announced on June 17 that Mabel Matiz and Melike Şahin's concerts, supposed to be held on June 19 and 30, have been called off.

No reason was cited by the municipality in Turkey's southwest.

However, the move was made after the singers outed solidarity with the LGBTI+ community at an awards ceremony hosted by Elle Style Magazine on June 13.

'Divisive artists'

Previously, the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality canceled Şahin's performance at the 61st International Bursa Festival.

Yesterday (June 18), Hüseyin Turan's name was also removed from the festival after he had previously expressed support for the opposition.

According to a social media post by Bursa Municipality Mayor Alinur Aktaş, they could not remain "unresponsive to the statements made by some artists during and after the election process, which divide our society and disrespect our values," adding that they will continue "with artists who respect the national will and society's values."

61. Bursa Festivali’nin anlaşmaları Bursa Kültür Sanat Turizm Vakfı tarafından seçimden aylar önce gerçekleştirilmişti. Ancak seçim sürecinde ve sonrasında bazı sanatçıların toplumumuzu ayrıştırıcı, değerlerimize saygısızlık yaptığı açıklamalarını gördüğümüzde, buna tepkisiz… https://t.co/aKiXKQhJLa

— Alinur AKTAŞ (@Alinuraktas70) June 18, 2023

The folksinger, in return, strongly criticized the decision to cancel his concert on July 29.

"The ignorant and vindictive herd we call trolls put pressure on the organization to block it, citing my tweets," he wrote yesterday (June 18) on his social media account.

Last year saw a similar string of bans on concerts and art events, justified by reasons of 'public safety' or being deemed contrary to 'morality and societal beliefs'.(AÖ/WM)