Ortaköy Cultural Centre Opens to Public!

Celebrations and opening events special for the 100^th anniversary of the Republic Day continue apace in Beşiktaş. Ortaköy Cultural Centre, which had been under renovation for a while, was opened in the presence of prominent artists and our citizens. Ortaköy Cultural Centre, which also hosts Afife Jale Stage and Livaneli Museum, will continue to host its visitors with its new look.

The Ortaköy Cultural Centre, which has undergone earthquake retrofitting and renovation, was opened on the 100^th anniversary of our republic. Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat opened the centre on Saturday, 28 October, together with the renowned artists Zülfü Livaneli and Sunay Akın. CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Özgür Çelik, Beşiktaş District Chairman Alican Şen and many of our citizens attended the opening ceremony, as well.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mayor of Beşiktaş Rıza Akpolat expressed, “When I stand in front of this cultural centre, I think of the days when I first took office. This place was closed and inactive in 2017. It was in a state that required a tough challenge. Fortunately, we are completing this area and putting it into service as we promised. It is 80 percent ready now. Our late Vice Mayor Ender Topçuoğlu had a great contribution in bringing this cultural centre to this stage. Beşiktaş is a very special city. We host millions of citizens from all over Türkiye here. One of our main duties is to ensure that the people who come here leave happily. When we took office in Beşiktaş, we promised that we would make Beşiktaş the capital of culture and arts, and today, Ortaköy Cultural Centre is opening. We think it will be one of our best gifts to the republic. We will continue to contribute to the republic by doing more work and developing projects. Beşiktaş is the home of the Great Leader Veteran Mustafa Kemal and the place where he started the War of Independence. As Beşiktaş, we have a great responsibility for the Republic of Türkiye. Beşiktaş means democracy, freedom and the republic. Happy 100^th anniversary and many more hundred years to come.”

Renowned artist Sunay Akın also gave a speech at the opening, and made the following statements: “Gazi Mustafa Kemal Atatürk describes the Republic as follows; ‘The foundation of the Republic of Türkiye is culture.’ Therefore, it is a great honour for me to make a speech in front of a cultural centre opened for the 100^th anniversary of our republic. If we want to keep the republic spirit alive, we must work more in the field of culture, as Atatürk states.”

After the opening ceremony, Mayor Rıza Akpolat presented the plaque of sapling donation made to Tema Foundation on behalf of Zülfü Livaneli and Sunay Akın to the artists.