Turkey’s world-renowned dance troupe, The Fire of Anatolia, continues to performance on the best stages abroad, as well as ancient ones. Having performed in many ancient theaters in foreign countries, the troupe recently took the stage in front of an audience of 7,000 at the Carthage Ancient Theater in Tunisia at the weekend.
Calling for unity, brotherhood and friendship during performances around the theme of the “Meeting of Civilizations,” the Fire of Anatolia makes a significant contribution to the country’s promotion all around the world, having so far staged 3,000 live performances in 80 countries and 244 cities.
In this return season in Tunisia, the group is performing as part of the International Carthage Festival at the Ancient Kartaca Theater in Tunisia. As usual, the performances drew great interest from the Tunisian audience.
Stating that they received proposals from very important venues in the world, the company’s General Art Director Mustafa Erdoğan said: “We have performed many times in North Africa, especially in Egypt. We will go on a tour in Libya next month. The second show in Tunisia was very important to us because the first show was in a small venue and we came with a small group. This time we have 70 dancers and performed at the Carthage Ancient Theater, which is a very big historical theater.”
Erdoğan said that historical venues were very significant to them since they fit the purpose of the theme of their choreography. “We have previously performed in many historical places including the Giza Pyramids, Paris’ Eiffel Tower, Selahattin Castle in Egypt, El Cahiri Castle in Abu Dhabi and Petra, the Ancient City in Jordan. The next show in Libya will be in an ancient place, too.”
The Fire of Anatolia shows the history and culture of Anatolia to people around the world through dance but now faces a penalty for performing at the historic Aspendos Ancient Theater.
Complaining that the only ancient venues closed to them were found in Turkey, the group was still allowed to perform in ancient places all around the world, Erdoğan said, “We can perform in ancient places in all around the world, which makes us pleased. Since they befit our performances organizers frequently invite us. For example, bringing the Trojan horse to the front of the Egyptian Pyramids and playing in old Roman cities in North Africa or Lebanon was magnificent for us. The most important among these historic places are in Turkey – but we can’t perform in those places.”
Tourists deprived of art events in Ephesus
Erdoğan said that tourists coming to the Ephesus Ancient City in the Aegean region had no chance to view any art events. “Only performances by the State Opera and Ballet are permitted in Aspendos and we don’t understand why. Busloads of people are going there again. We pay attention to decibel limit, too. Many people attended the events that took place this year. There is no limitation. But this is valid for the artists of the Culture and Tourism Ministry only. This is not fair. I wish the Fire of Anatolia could perform in ancient places in Turkey. We do not demand a venue in Antalya, because we have our own place – the Gloria Aspendos Arena. But we also want to perform in the ancient theaters of Ephesus or Side. Because tourists there are cannot see any art event in this region,” he said.
