Culture minister says "open to suggestions" on contested cultural center

Issues related to arts and culture should not be turned into "fields of tension," said Culture and Tourism Minister Mahir Ünal, adding that he was "always open" to listen the suggestion for the future of Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) in Istanbul's Taksim Square.

Gathering with Ankara-based journalists on April 27, Ünal shared his ministry's projects on agenda. 

"I am against turning arts and culture related issues into fields of tension. I made a statement that 'Turkey has a strong opera tradition.' A small-scaled discussion began on 'whether there was an opera tradition in Turkey.' How nice. Or we can discuss another debate related to our arts and culture world. But let us not turn this into a tension line, a fault line," said Ünal, adding that there were "tension lines" formed over AKM and Turkish National Commission for the Seismology and Physics of the Earth (TUSAK) and that he does not want to "tackle on these lines."

"If there is anyone who has an opinion on this issue, I am always open to listening them" said Ünal and added that "it cannot be the case for the state to impose a culture or a form of art here. The state does not impose content, the state creates base for the society to produce its own culture and art."  

Located in Taksim Square in Beyo?lu, a district at the heart of Istanbul, the AKM has been unused for the past eight years. The center, which is one of the focal buildings representing the republican-era Turkish architecture, has been at the heart of a heated debate flared up after government officials announced intentions to demolish or renew it. 

Ünal also talked about the ministry's plans for the Ankara Cultural Center, the project of which was announced by Prime Minister Ahmet Davuto?lu on April 21...