World-renowned Turkish composer and pianist Fazıl Say confirmed on Friday that the concerts he was scheduled to perform in Switzerland have been unilaterally cancelled by the organisers due to some comments he posted on social media site X favourable to the Palestinian cause. “They have cited as a reason the ideas I expressed about the tensions between Palestine and Israel on social media,” said the artist, who was scheduled to perform with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra on 23, 24, 25 and 26 October in the Swiss cities of Zurich, Bern, Geneva and Lucerne.
“During the (current) crisis in the Middle East, I have posted a total of 3 tweets and a video in which I spoke. I am in favour of peace, and all my statements were in the spirit of peace,” Fazıl Say said in a statement, in which he mentioned having openly criticised Netanyahu’s “war policy” as “having no future” and producing terrible consequences. The pianist, on the other hand, agreed with Turkish President Erdoğan‘s “sensitive and peaceful” stance on the issue.
— Fazıl Say (@fazilsaymusic) October 20, 2023
“I want to point out that my trust (in freedom of expression in Europe) has been significantly shaken in the face of this disturbing incident,” said the Turkish pianist referring to the cancellation of his concerts in Switzerland. “Everyone should do something to stop this war. Netanyahu should be tried for war crimes, for genocide, and for committing massacres. Freedom for Palestine. For humanity. Enough of barbarism,” Fazıl Say had wrote on his profile, where he also expressed harsh criticism of the Gaza hospital attack that killed hundreds of civilians.
VOTE
EDITORIAL TEAM
🧿 About us
.
Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
…
📣 Your ADVERTISING on Hispanatolia
.
🤗 HELP US WITH A DONATION:
💗 Paypal
