Outrage in Turkey's 'student city' after governor bans music festival for no reason

Photo: eskisehir.net

The Eskişehir Governor's Office yesterday (May 9) announced a 15-day event ban except for events organized by political parties and celebrations of May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day.

The office said the ban was issued to "ensure public order and public security, prevent crime, protect others' rights and freedoms and prevent the spread of violence," without making reference to a specific incident.

With the ban remaining in effect until May 25, a planned music festival will not take place.

Anadolu Fest would be held between May 12 and 15 with the participation of 28 musicians and bands, including renowned ones such as Levent Yüksel, Haluk Levent, Sagopa Kajmer and Teoman.

It would be the largest music festival in the city since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Eskişehir is known as Turkey's largest "student city" with a student population of nearly 100,000.

Organizers of the festival released a statement on Twitter after the decision, saying that "we are shocked like you" after months of preparations for the events.

In other tweets, they wrote, "How are you? We are like a festival that is prevented unlawfully" and called on the people to share their messages under the hashtag "Don't touch my festival" (#festivalimedokunma).

19.30'da #FestivalimeDokunma hashtagi ile siz de haklarınızı savunabilirsiniz. Desteklerinizi bekliyoruz. pic.twitter.com/ELwA1bcp90

— Anadolu fest (@FestAnadolu) May 9, 2022

Quoting the governor's statement, one user wrote, "I'm curious, how do you protect people's fundamental rights and freedoms by restricting them?"

"They literally issued a ban order specifically for the Anadolu Fest. From the days when we would celebrate spring festivals drinking on the campus to the days when festivals are banned because of alcohol," wrote another user.

Some people pointed out the midnight music ban, which was introduced as part of the coronavirus measures and hasn't yet been lifted, accusing the government of interfering with people's lifestyles.

The ban was a "reflection of the government's hostile attitude towards the youth, culture and arts," said MP Özgür Özel of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). (VK)