Aydın Gün Award awaits young classic musicians

ISTANBUL

Aydın Gün was an important artist in the development of opera.

Applications for the Aydın Gün Encouragement Award, organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV), have started, to continue until Dec. 1, according to a statement from the foundation. 

Named after famous Turkish tenor Aydın Gün, the Aydın Gün Encouragement Award, which is presented to a different musician every year, is open to instrumentalists, singers, composers and conductors under 30 years of age.

The selection board consists of İKSV General Manager Görgün Taner, State Opera and Ballet General Manager Rengim Gökmen, State Opera and Ballet Stage Director Yekta Kara, Istanbul Technical University Turkish Music Conservatoire Manager and Violinist Cihat Aşkın, Borusan Culture and Arts Manger Ahmet Erenli and Istanbul Music Festival Director Yeşim Gürer Oymak.

The 2012 Aydın Gün Encouragement Award was presented to violinist Hande Küden in recognition of the success she has already achieved with national and international performances, her strong and steady progress, as well as her promising future endeavors.

Gün was one of the most important artists in the development of opera in Turkey. Born in Adana in 1917, Gün was among the founders of the Istanbul and Ankara Operas. Gün received the European Council Culture Award and was recognized as a state artist in 1988. 

He was also among the founders of İKSV and managed the foundation between 1974 and 1993. He also managed the International Istanbul Festival for 20 years and launched contemporary art exhibitions during the first years of the Istanbul Biennial. Gün died in 2007 at the age of 90.