Wall of Reverence for Healthcare Workers in Beşiktaş

A wall in Ortaköy Neighborhood, Portakal Yokuşu Street was colored with a mural representing health workers…

With our gratitude to the healthcare workers working devotedly 7/24 during the COVID-19 epidemic, which caused severe damage and losses in our country…

Following the announcement of the first Covid-19 cases in Turkey in March, Beşiktaş Municipality has implemented an anti-crisis plan, as well as physical measures taken throughout the district; awareness campaigns were launched in digital and traditional media. Public Health Digital Management Center a first of its kind among local governments in Turkey was established, and the entire process was coordinated through this center. Beşiktaş Municipality, which has been supporting healthcare workers since the first stage of the epidemic, has allocated two dormitories with a capacity of 185 beds in total to the healthcare workers. The work carried out by Beşiktaş Municipality during the pandemic was cited as a good example to the world by international organizations such as OECD and EUROCITIES. Now Beşiktaş Municipality turned a wall in Beşiktaş into the Wall of Reverence for Healthcare Workers.

The devoted work of our healthcare workers during the epidemic has inspired many street artists and was reflected as murals in different cities around the world. Beşiktaş Municipality, which has recently started the Beşiktaş Street Art project to ensure that everyone encounters with art on the streets of Beşiktaş, has also colored a wall in Ortaköy Neighborhood, Portakal Yokuşu Street with a mural representing our healthcare workers.

Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat made a statement on the subject and said; “Nothing can repay the ceaseless effort healthcare professionals have put into against the COVID-19 pandemic but we wish to honor those we have lost in this uphill struggle through a piece of art and keep their memory alive.”

The art project developed by Beşiktaş Municipality Directorate of Cultural and Social Affairs and Beşiktaş Communication Office, was performed by the artist named No More Lies on a wall with a height of 6 meters and a length of 46 meters. The painting process was captured by the world famous photographer Chris McGrath and now available on the licensed photo archive platform GettyImages. Istanbul Comics and Art Festival (ICAF) is involved in the project as the art collaborator, while DYO and Donut Store - Montana Colors are the other partners. Artworks in Beşiktaş Streets can be viewed online at sokaktasanat.besiktas.bel.tr.