Pera Fest counters discrimination

ISTANBUL

Pera Fest, to be organized under the theme of “art against discrimination,” will open on March 21 at Istanbul’s Tiyatro Pera. Poems and songs addressing discrimination will be performed during the night.

The 14th edition of the event will host three panel discussions, three short and three feature film screenings and a theater play until March 27.

The first panel of the festival will be organized at Beyoğlu Karşı Art Gallery. On March 23, Cezayir Restaurant will screen three short films on discrimination and continue with a presentation by documentary filmmaker Enis Rıza Sakızlı as well as a panel titled “Discrimination and Media.”

On March 24, the Istanbul Research Institute will host a conference titled “Cultural Heritage, Discrimination and War.” Professor Zeynep Ahunbay will present examples of world cultural assets destroyed by wars.

The last three days of the festival will feature films on discrimination and theatrical productions. Haluk Ünal’s “Saklı Hayatlar “(Hidden Lives), Emin Alper’s “Tepenin Ardı” (Beyond the Hill) and Özcan Alper’s “Rüzagrın Haturaları” (Memories of the Wind) are the films to be featured during the program.

Due to World Theater Day on March 27, a panel on “Theater and Discrimination” will be held at Galata Perform.

The panel will be moderated by the Pera Fest Artistic Director Vecdi Sayar.