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NEWS
30 November 2006

Turkey:
Anti-censorship initiative launched

A new initiative against censorship was born during the 3rd Freemuse World Conference in Istanbul on 26 November 2006: Artists from Turkey launched the SSS initiative - Sanatta Sansüre Son - which means "End to Censorship on Arts".

The launch took place right after a session which had presented strong testimonies by Turkish musicians and composers who have faced censorship, torture and jail in Turkey. The initiative to create SSS came from young Turkish musicians, and also artists from other fields have joined, as well as presidents of three influential professional organisations.



The launch of Sanatta Sansüre Son.     Photo by Mik Aidt

Several musicians taking part in the conference similarly have already initiated various collaborations.



During the session on music censorship in Turkey, Selda Bagcan spoke about her ongoing problems with the Turkish authorities.   Photo by Anna Schori




Click to read about the conference



Video documentation

Watch the video interview with Turkish composer and human rights activist Şanar Yurdatapan who gives his impression of the session on Turkey at the conference:
Video interview with Şanar Yurdatapan


More information

All details about the third Freemuse World Conference which was held in Istanbul on 25-26 November 2006 can be found here:
Conference site

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