Museum opens in Istanbul’s Fenerbahçe district to celebrate writer Haldun Taner

ISTANBUL

A new museum displaying the personal belongings and works of drama writer, educator and journalist Haldun Taner, who lived between 1915 and 1986, has opened in the Fenerbahçe district of Istanbul. 

A building in Fenerbahçe, which belongs to the Kadıköy Municipality, has been restored and turned into the Haldun Taner Museum House. 

The opening of the museum was made on Taner’s 103rd birthday on March 16 with the participation of veteran artists Metin Akpınar, Salih Kalyon and Can Gürzap as well as many other guests. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Taner’s widow Demet Taner said her long-time dream had come true with the opening of the museum. 

She said the first attempt was made in 1993. “It has not been on the agenda for a long time. When it was on the agenda, it did not come about because of bureaucratic handicaps and because the building was a historical one. I felt regretful about that. But Kadıköy Mayor Aykurt Nuhoğlu has finally solved the problems and realized the museum project,” she said. 

Demet Taner said the building was restored by architect Cengiz Bektaş and Taner’s friends also provided support for the opening of the museum. 

Nuhoğlu said Haldun Taner had made great contributions to Turkish theater. “Our mission is to transfer this accumulation to the next generations. Dilek Taner put a great effort into the museum. Her aesthetic talent is seen in the museum. Everything here was designed by Taner and her friends,” he said. 

The Haldun Taner Museum House displays posters, photos, Taner’s work desk, typewriter, pens, dresses and etc that belong to him. 

Exhibitions on literature and theater will be organized and young drama writers will take lessons in the museum. A library is also planned to be established in the building.