Artists’ dance implores officials to protect Burdur Lake from drought

BURDUR – Doğan News Agency

Lake Burdur has become the stage of an exhibition by two artists, who on Aug. 25 danced inside its waters in an attempt to inspire officials to save it from drought.   

In front of locals and activists, ballerina Deniz Kılınç and choreographer Ziya Azazi, known for his special gas mask performance during last summer’s Gezi Park protests, danced on the rhythms of the folklore music of the region.

“Many lakes and streams are drying in Turkey every day. As artists, the only thing we can do [is] to draw attention on how much this lake is important. We believe that if we can succeed on that, we might save the lake,” Azazi said.

Located in the outskirts of the Taurus Mountains in southwestern Anatolia, Lake Burdur has suffered as the water streams feeding it and subterranean water sources dry.

According to the Nature Association, the lake has lost a third of its water over the last 35 years and 80 percent of the sources feeding its waters in the last 10 years.

Ali Orkun Ercengiz, mayor of Budur, said they intended to give the locals a sense of responsibility concerning the lake.

“If we want new generations to see the lake, we have to show efforts all together,” he said.
Central Anatolian lakes and streams are also suffering from increased drought and unplanned agriculture. Lake Meke in Konya recently lost 99 percent of its waters.