İKSV opens award for classical musicians

ISTANBUL- Hürriyet Daily News

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

The Istanbul Culture and Arts Foundation (İKSV) has started up a new award to support young musicians in Turkey, giving 15,000 Turkish Liras to winners of the annual Aydın Gün Support Award.

Named after famous Turkish tenor Aydın Gün, the award will be given to young classical music artists who are less than 30 years old.

İKSV aims to give the award each year starting from January 2013. The calls are open until Dec. 20 and all details can be found at the İKSV website.

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.

Aydın 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. ün received the European Council Culture Award and also the “State Artist” title in 1988.

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