Documentary records a Turkish-language theater’s fight in Macedonia

ISTANBUL - Anadolu Agency

'Scene in the Heart of the Balkans,' directed by İsmet Arasan and made in the Macedonian capital of Skopje, is the first documentary film about the Macedonia-Skopje Turkish Theater.

A new film documenting the struggles of a historic Turkish-language theater in Macedonia will premier in Istanbul.

“Scene in the Heart of the Balkans,” directed by İsmet Arasan and made in the Macedonian capital of Skopje, is the first documentary film about the Macedonia-Skopje Turkish Theater, which kept the Turkish language and drama alive in the post-World War II Balkans region.

The Skopje Turkish Theater was established in 1950 and has received recognition from the Macedonian presidency for its cultural contributions.

Noting that the Skopje Turkish Theater also staged works in all the Balkan languages, Arasan said: “This special theater’s repertoire consists of classic masterpieces of the world and works of Turkish and local dramatists. After World War II, several cultures of Macedonia were given little chance to develop themselves. At that time, Turks revealed their struggle with their identity; they considered radio broadcasts, literary pieces and magazines as tools to keep the Turkish language and culture alive.” 

“Scene in the Heart of the Balkans” will be screened on April 13 at Istanbul’s Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall.