Pianist and composer Tuluyhan Uğurlu stated that the coup attempt of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) on July 15, 2016 revealed the Turkish nation's will to unite when it comes to national sovereignty and independence.
Making a statement to the AA correspondent on the 10th anniversary of the July 15 coup attempt, the artist shared the traces left by the coup attempt in his memory, the place of art in social memory and his messages for young artists.
Uğurlu said that he saw July 15 not only as a coup attempt, but as a historical turning point where the nation revealed its common will, and said, "I consider July 15 as showing how the Turkish nation can unite and have a single voice when it comes to national sovereignty and independence. The social media manipulations of the 21st century are the best example of how our nation can still be united in efforts to make us forget about being a nation." he said.
"I remember that night as if it was a new War of Independence"
Artist Uğurlu said, "I remember that night as if it were a new War of Independence. A war won at dawn. It excites me, just like the Great Offensive that started with cannon fire in Kocatepe at dawn." he said.
Stating that he organized concerts in memory of the July 15 martyrs in the past years, Uğurlu drew attention to the importance of art in keeping social memory alive.
Tuluyhan Uğurlu underlined that art is one of the most powerful tools that brings people together with their own essence and said:
"Art is one of our most important weapons in terms of reminding people of their human feelings and teaching them to be human. Real art does not give a direct message, it does not deal with clichés, it gives its message with a photograph, a painting, a melody, and this message remains for centuries. I believe that July 15, unfortunately, cannot be explained very well to young people who did not experience that terrible night. Maybe there are good things that I missed. I believe that it can be explained much better with real works of art."
"Artists have a great responsibility"
Pointing out that artists should undertake an important role in accurately conveying what happened to young generations who did not experience July 15, Uğurlu emphasized the importance of bringing art directly to young people.
Uğurlu said, "Artists have a great responsibility, but in this chaos, can we support and highlight real art as necessary? We need to show real art as an example to them by going to schools, performing it, and talking to young people. Big companies and the state have great responsibilities in this regard." made his assessment.
Stating that they used to come together with young people with concerts held in universities and high schools, Uğurlu said, "We cannot do this now. We used to go to high schools and give important messages. Now, unfortunately, we have left children in the hands of social media. As art, we highlight the singers who fill the stadiums and make young people jump." he said.
Tuluyhan Uğurlu addressed especially young people on the anniversary of July 15 and called for culture and arts to be supported more in educational life.
Uğurlu concluded his words by noting that the state should support young people to read more and learn more:
"I would like to emphasize once again that culture and thought should come to the fore, that life is not just computers and mathematics, and that we should bring the perspective of the great Turkish state of the Seljuks, the great Turkish state of ours, to the present day, on science and art. Only then will we meet the young people sought by Mehmet Akif Ersoy, who knows our past and whose gaze is directed to the skies, and this will affect the whole society."