Pontian Greek Groups Challenge Atatürk Opera in Germany

Pontian Greek organisations in Germany are protesting a new opera about Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, warning that the production risks overlooking the persecution and mass killings of Pontian Greeks during the final years of the Ottoman Empire and the emergence of modern Turkey.

The opera is scheduled to premiere at the Stuttgart State Opera on April 10, 2027. The protest was organised by Dodekapolis, an association representing Pontian Greek cultural organisations in Baden-Württemberg.

Following an official letter of protest, Stuttgart State Opera artistic director Viktor Schoner invited representatives of Dodekapolis to a meeting to discuss their concerns.

During the meeting, the association raised questions about the historical and ethical implications of presenting Atatürk on stage, highlighting his role in events associated with the Pontian Greek Genocide.

Dodekapolis stressed that artistic freedom should go hand in hand with historical responsibility, particularly when publicly funded cultural institutions portray figures whose legacies remain deeply contested.

The association called for greater transparency about the opera’s content and historical interpretation, urging the production team to reconsider any approach that could romanticise Atatürk or minimise the suffering of affected communities.

Opera Promises a Complex Portrayal of Atatürk

The Stuttgart State Opera describes the production as an exploration of Atatürk’s achievements and contradictions, rather than a straightforward celebration of his life.

Composed by Bassem Akiki, with a libretto by Olga Bach, the opera will feature seven languages, including Greek, Armenian and Kurdish.

According to the opera house’s description, the production will examine Atatürk through the perspectives of his allies, opponents and victims.

The competing interpretations have placed the historical treatment of Atatürk at the centre of the dispute, with Dodekapolis seeking assurances that the experiences of communities affected by persecution will be addressed meaningfully.

Appeal for Wider Community Dialogue

Dodekapolis has also appealed to Armenian, Assyrian, Kurdish, Alevi and other communities affected by historical persecution to join a broader discussion about historical memory and human rights.

The association’s concerns extend beyond artistic representation to the responsibility of cultural institutions to confront difficult historical legacies.

The debate now centres on whether the production will meaningfully examine the suffering associated with Atatürk’s historical legacy or risk diminishing it.

For Pontian Greek organisations, the opera presents an opportunity to ensure that the experiences of their ancestors are not overlooked in a cultural portrayal of one of modern Turkey’s most influential figures.

Stay connected to Greek City Times for Free on Google News
Click NOW
Stay updated with the latest news from Greece and around the world on greekcitytimes.com.
Contact our newsroom to share your updates, stories, photos, or videos. Follow GCT on WhatsApp, Google News and Apple News.
Advertising