Caught in a storm of nationalist fervour, Turkey’s main opposition leader has become the focus of an intense defamation campaign for showing reverence to a Kurdish opera singer.
Özgür Özel, the newly-elected head of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), publicly paid his respects to soprano Pervin Chakar after her performance in Istanbul on Sunday. This act elicited strong condemnation from nationalist circles, exacerbated by pro-government media like A Haber and Takvim, who labelled Chakar “an enemy of Turkey”.
A Haber insinuated that Özel endorsed Chakar’s views, which the news agency claimed were supportive of a separate Kurdish state and critical of Turkey. Chakar, in past statements, has been quoted saying, “If there is no state for Kurds, there can be neither a Kurdish soprano nor a Kurdish composer,” and accused Turks of plundering Kurdish works.
Sunday’s incident occurred after the operatic event in Kadıköy’s Süreyya Opera House, featuring Chakar accompanied by pianist Paolo Villa. “An Opera Evening” attracted not only music enthusiasts but also a notable assembly of politicians from diverse parties. After the performance, Özel joined Chakar on stage and kissed her hand, a sign of respect, causing the heavy backlash from nationalists.
Pervin Chakar, an internationally acclaimed Kurdish soprano from Turkey’s Kurdish-majority southeastern Mardin (Merdin), has been touring Turkey, including Kurdish majority cities Diyarbakir (Amed) and Van (Wan) besides the capital Ankara, culminating in this significant Istanbul event. Chakar, alongside Villa, provided an unforgettable experience for the audience, performing pieces in both Turkish and Kurdish, symbolising a bridge between cultures.
Chakar’s performance, especially her use of the Kurdish language, has become a focal point of political and cultural discourse. Criticism from figures like Yılmaz Özdil, a neo-nationalist journalist and author, targeted Özel for his public display of respect towards Chakar. Özdil’s comments, shared on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), have fuelled a heated debate, with many criticising his stance as counterproductive to cultural inclusively.
In response to the criticism, Chakar issued a detailed statement, firmly standing by her artistic choices and cultural roots. In her statement, Chakar emphasised the significance of performing in her native language, stating, “I performed pieces in my native language, Kurdish, for my audience. I believe singing in my native language is my greatest right, and I do not intend to seek permission from anyone for that.”
She also highlighted the transcendent nature of her art beyond political realms, saying, “The art I create is beyond politics. Our values, culture, language, and art are the red lines for us Kurds and for me. Our door is open to everyone, to every thought. I prefer to respond to racist and offensive words with my art. Because everything is temporary, but art is always enduring.”
