Musicians accuse government of trying to destroy nightlife

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Musicians and actors have criticized the government on social media because of the new reopening schedule, which does not include any measure for artists.

Night curfews starting at 10 p.m. and a full lockdown on Sundays will be in place according to the new measures announced by President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan last night (May 31).

Bars, nightclubs, concert halls and similar establishments will continue to remain closed, which led to the criticism that the government was trying to destroy nightlife and live music.

Single Gaye Su Akyol wrote on Twitter that "As far as I understand, you say, 'Let musicians and concerts die, let bars, taverns, nightlife and art rough it'."

Musician Burhan Şeşen wrote, "... Please don't make jokes anymore about the music ban. Our lives and future are in question now. This is not the pandemic bans anymore, it has turned into hatred of music."

Singer Harun Tekin also wrote the government's move was not rational but ideological.

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Since the start of the pandemic, Erdoğan's government has been accused of taking advantage of the pandemic to interfere with people's lifestyles.

Many bars and nightclubs have had to remain closed for more than a year as they have not been allowed to work during the reopening periods.

The government has also not allowed alcohol sales during weekend lockdowns.

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"This virus is transmitted if you have fun, if you listen to music, if you go on the stage, and especially if you drink after 22.00," singer Cenk Eren wrote. "But eventually, the people that you ignore and don't care about will go to the ballot box."

Theater actor Behzat Uygun wrote, "To be at home at 22.00, we must start at 19.00 or 19.30. So, would you come to an open-air theater at 19.00?"

Musician Sabahat Akkiraz wrote, "Let musicians, theater actors die. Let them eat rocks. Who cares?" (AÖ/VK)