Singer laments state of Turkey’s culture policy

NKARA - Anatolia News Agency

Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy and folk singer Tolga Çandar continues to sing folk songs although he has lot to do in the parliament. AA photo

Turkey’s government is not doing enough to aid the art scene in the country, according to Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy and folk singer Tolga Çandar.

“The most important problem in Turkey is cultural imperialism,” he said. “People living in Anatolia have a rich culture – it doesn’t matter which ethnic root they have,” he said, adding that more must be done to take care of Anatolia’s culture. Çandar, who was elected as a deputy for the Aegean province of Muğla in last year’s election, said Parliament had so far disappointed him.

Commenting on Turkish Aegean folk songs, Çandar said: “People in Turkey are listening to Aegean folk songs.