Abdullah Gürgür met with Biret at İstanbul’s Topkapı Palace and offered her an apology for a protest against her concert held on Saturday at the palace. “We don't have a problem with Mrs. Biret. We respect her and her art. She is a national artist. Our protest targeted the company that organized the concert,” Gürgür stated.
Members of the İstanbul branch of Alperen Ocakları protested renowned pianist Biret's concert on Saturday, arguing that a concert taking place at Topkapı Palace during which the audience was served wine despite the plight of Uighur Turks in China was “impudent and indicative of ill-breeding.” The protest drew the indignation of many, with Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay condemning the protest and referring to the Alperen protestors as “pathetic primitive creatures.”
Minister Günay also issued a statement saying no one has the right to mar Turkey's image. Gürgür also stated that Alperen Ocakları should have expressed their reaction in a softer manner. The Alperen Ocakları head also said that his group will not be an instrument of “dark powers.”
There were fears that Alperen Ocakları may become a loose cannon after the death of Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu, the former BBP leader. Yazıcıoğlu was killed in a helicopter crash in Kahramanmaraş ahead of the local elections of March 29. “An organization founded by Yazıcıoğlu cannot serve as an instrument for dark powers,” Gürgür added.
In the meantime, Metin Gündoğdu, deputy chairman of the BBP, called on Minister Günay to offer an apology to his party for his “offensive” remarks. “Our youth did not protest against the concert or İdil Biret. Their protest was against the idea of drinking wine at a historic place that is home to holy relics. I denounce the minister [Günay] for his remarks, and I call on him to offer an apology to the BBP,” he stated.
