We believe in the power and significance of memory.
The theatrical heritage of Turkey powerfully reflects our cultural wealth and diversity. Preserving theatrical heritage is not only about remembering the forgotten and unearthing the unknown, but also about nourishing our collective memory. This is the very reason why it is essential for preserving our culture of coexistence.
The rapid loss of theatrical memory in our country stemming from the disinterested attitude of a large portion of the society (including various cultural and educational institutions) towards the theatrical heritage leads to the disruption and erosion of cultural values. This is particularly true in Istanbul, a city with a long history of theatre.
The Theatre Foundation of Turkey was established by a group of theatre professionals and academics to support the art of theatre by preventing the loss of its memory and values. It aims to create an inclusive and complete archive of theatre, which is a deeply-rooted cultural tradition in our country.
OUR OBJECTIVES
1 – To protect Turkish theatrical heritage by establishing the Theatre Museum and Research Centre of Turkey. We aim to build a complementary archive, enhance it, and make it fully accessible to the public. By establishing the Theatre Museum and Research Centre of Turkey we will create a platform for producing knowledge and passing this cultural reservoir on to future generations;
2 – To record future theatrical events for posterity;
3 – To collect and record the theatrical culture of Armenian, Greek, and Jewish theatre companies which made great contributions to Turkish theatre and to make their efforts more visible;
4 – To collect all kinds of documents about traditional Turkish theatre and to get in touch with leading theatre figures in order to complete research and issue publications in this field;
5 – To establish a modern and dynamic cultural centre that facilitates various cultural activities including theatre and an active and sustainable museum which is accessible for all segments of society (child, youth, and disabled-friendly).