The Quest for Identity in Turkish Theater Amidst Western Influences

Abstract

The contemporary landscape of Turkish theater, particularly in Istanbul, is characterized by vibrancy; however, it has not yet achieved a fully realized national identity. The innovative productions frequently draw upon Western theater traditions, resulting in a challenge for the establishment of an original theatrical ethos. This predicament can be attributed to the Republic's brief century-long history, which has similarly rendered modern theater a nascent concept. The Republic's reform trajectory, which has a pronounced orientation towards the West, has prioritized theater as a vehicle for cultural enlightenment. Instead of merely mirroring contemporary society, the early Republic's objective to forge a transcendent cultural identity suppressed artistic creativity. The imposition of Western paradigms often overshadowed the celebration of the inherent richness found in traditional Turkish theater. Subsequent sections will illustrate how the style of theater evolved during the Westernization movements of the 19th century within the Ottoman Empire, during which traditional forms were frequently marginalized.



Author Information
Nedim Saban, Anadolu Üniversitesi Konservatuvarı, Turkey

Paper Information
Conference: KCAH2024
Stream: Arts - Performing Arts Practices: Theater

This paper is part of the KCAH2024 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Saban N. (2025) The Quest for Identity in Turkish Theater Amidst Western Influences ISSN: 2759-7571 – The Korean Conference on Arts & Humanities 2024 Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 331-340) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2759-7571.2024.29
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2759-7571.2024.29


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Posted by James Alexander Gordon