A performance of Six Against Turkey has been cancelled due to political pressure
· The performance, which was due to take place in Prizren on 6th December, was cancelled following local political pressure
· The production has been subject to repeated attacks in the Turkish media and on social media since its premiere
· Two Turkish actors who were due to perform in the show withdrew due to concerns about potential repercussions.
In 2018, six Turkish school teachers were arrested in Kosovo and deported to Turkey. Their Kosovo residency permits were revoked for allegedly posing a threat to national security. The six men were wanted in Turkey because of their alleged links to the exiled cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose movement Turkey blamed for the failed coup in 2016.
Inspired by this incident, Six Against Turkey was written by Jeton Neziraj, directed by Blerta Neziraj and produced by Qendra Multimedia. The premiere took place in Prishtina on 16th October.
Two Turkish actors who were due to perform in the production withdrew during the rehearsal process due to concerns over the potential repercussions on their return to Turkey.
Even before its premiere, it was subject to heavy criticism in pro-Erdogan Turkish media.
Since its premiere in Prishtina, it has successfully been performed at the City Theater "Adriana" in Ferizaj, the City Theatre of Gjilan as well as in Tirana, Albania. Following the invitation to perform at the City Theater "Bekim Fehmiu" Theater in Prizren, a town with a significant Turkish community, however, the producers have been subject to numerous attacks and threats on social media.
In the run-up to the performance, the mayor of Prizren, Shaqir Totaj, received a letter from Ertan Simitci, Prizren City Council member and Chairman of the local Turkish political party YTHP calling upon the show to be cancelled, stating that "this show is against the values of the Turkish community."
Though Qendra Multimedia had the support of the theatre, the performance was eventually cancelled on 4th December, with the official reason cited for the cancellation being technical difficulties with the theatre’s heating, however this is a clear attempt to interfere with and infringe on the freedom of artistic expression.
Following the cancellation, Qendra Multimedia released a statement requesting the Municipality of Prizren confirm that it will not censor and interfere with the work of a City Theatre and that they will not make an attempt to stop the performance from going ahead when a new date is set.
Speaking about the cancellation, Jeton Neziraj said:
“Since this project was announced we have encountered insults and threats on various social media networks and on pro-Turkish Governmental media outlets. The Turkish Embassy in Prishtina has been putting pressure on the Kosovo government, demanding the cancellation of the show. The opening night in Prishtina was held under a strong police presence, including many uninvited 'guests' - secret service agents and informants, who photographed, filmed, and took notes with great dedication. Since the performance in Prizren was announced, we have been the subject of attacks, threats, pressure and hate speech from various people on social networks, including from local Turkish politicians. The play eventually had to be cancelled, and we find this a direct threat to our artistic freedom.
Together with the theatre in Prizren, we are determined to make this play happen there soon. Because we believe censorship, along with other oppressive ideologies, contradict the basic principles which democratic societies and those aspiring to democracy have accepted. Allowing a play to take place is a very basic act of democracy and entering a dialogue with the contents of a play is healthy for the audience and for society, as it opens horizons and allows for a pluralism of ideas, thoughts, and perspectives - which help societies grow and prosper.”
“An epic view of political struggle with the sting of satire and a dose of the absurd, Six Against Turkey is a major new work from a leading contemporary playwright” - Mark Ravenhill, British playwright, on Six Against Turkey
“The play throws down a gauntlet, in the form of an artistic provocation directed at artists and their abilities and desires to respond to and communicate the suffering of societies to the public.” The Theatre Times on Six Against Turkey
