During the meeting, the prime minister will explain the democratic initiative to the artists, listen to their opinions and answer their questions about the initiative. About 70 famous names from Turkish cinema and the theater world are expected to show up at the event, which begins at 10 a.m.
The event, held by Deputy Prime Minister Hüseyin Çelik, is expected to host Turkey’s most famous and successful actors and directors. Among the stars who are expected to come are Necati Şaşmaz, well known for his character named Polat in the popular television series “Kurtlar Vadisi” (Valley of the Wolves), and Kenan İmirzalıoğlu, who plays the character Ezel in the famous television series of the same name. Also invited are famous screen names from Yeşilcam – Turkey’s Hollywood -- Türkan Şoray, Hüşya Koçyiğit, Kadir İnanır and Hülya Avşar, as well as young stars Özcan Deniz and Özgü Namal and veteran thespians Yıldız Kenter, Ayten Gökçer and Müşfik Kenter.
Internationally acclaimed and award-winning Turkish directors Semih Kaplanoğlu, Cannes award winner Nuri Bilge Ceylan and Golden Bear winner Fatih Akın as well as Ferzan Özpetek, Sinan Çetin, Uğur Yücel, Osman Sınav and Mesut Uçakan have also been invited to the meeting.
Later in the afternoon, Erdoğan will meet with the administrators from national radio and publishers in a reception at the Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) İstanbul branch. The prime minister had previously gathered with artists from Turkey’s music world, including İbrahim Tatlıses, Bülent Ersoy, Seda Sayan, Sertap Erener, Fatih Kısaparmak, Arif Sağ, Neşet Ertaş and Hakan Peker, on Feb. 20.
