'Istanbul needs a beautiful square,' says Turkish PM

ANKARA

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has highlighted the need for a beautiful square in Istanbul.

In remarks made to artists and media gathered at Ankara Palas on Thursday, Davutoglu was speaking about the Taksim Square in Istanbul and the possible changes to the Ataturk Cultural Center there when he said: “Istanbul needs a beautiful square.”

Referring to 2013 protests at Taksim, the prime minister called for not approaching the square “as an ideological conflict area or as a square that reflects political divisions.”

He called for discussions without “censorship” or any “prejudice” about the future of the Ataturk Cultural Center, whether it should be restored to its original form or “a big arts center that Istanbul’s needs” be built in its same place.

Davutoglu said Taksim Square and the construction around it is an important part of modern Turkey. But, he added, the square did not have characteristics yet for anyone to say: “That is one of the best squares in the world and it must be protected as it is.

“Therefore, let us all talk, evaluate without causing new polarization, tensions and present Istanbul with beautiful squares.”

He guaranteed that any request made by any artist or anyone about the Taksim Square would be directed either to the Prime Ministry or to the Ministry of Culture, and queries would not remain unanswered.

Davutoglu also announced that every province in Turkey will have at least one theater stage.

Revealing his government’s cultural development action plan, the premier said the state will double its support for private theater groups from 4.5 million Turkish liras ($1.6 million) in 2015 to nine million Turkish liras ($3.2 million) in 2016.

Moreover, 18 new museums will be inaugurated in the country this year, while two cultural centers, one eachin Ankara and Istanbul, would also be built.

The centers would be “international icons by size and content,” he added.