Continuing its efforts to bring the Altar of Zeus to Bergama, the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality has taken another important step that will mobilize the world public opinion. The world premiere of the Pergamon Oratorio “Tears of the Altar”, composed in reference to the Altar of Zeus, was made. Minister Tunç Soyer“Our altar is a child separated from his mother and we want him back. We will continue to shout loudly. You'll see, those deaf ears will hear it."
Izmir Metropolitan Municipality continues its efforts to bring the Altar of Zeus, which was smuggled abroad from the Ancient City of Bergama through illegal excavations between 1869-1878, to its homeland. The Bergama Oratorio, which was composed by composer and conductor Tolga Taviş, with a libretto by Gülümden Alev Kahraman, the dramaturgist of the State Opera and Ballet, inspired by two poems written in English by Suat Çağlayan, the 21st Term İzmir Deputy and former Minister of Culture, referring to the Zeus Altar. Tears” had its world premiere at the Asklepion Ancient Theater in Bergama. Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Mayor among those who watched the historical night in Bergama Tunç Soyer, Former Minister of Labor and Social Security Yaşar Okuyan, İzmir Provincial Culture and Tourism Director Murat Karacanta, Bergama District Governor Avni Oral, Bergama Chief Public Prosecutor Korhan Sert, CHP Bergama District President Mehmet Ecevit Canbaz, citizens, guests and many district residents.
standing ovation
The work was presented by the famous actor Hakan Gerçek, accompanied by the Ahmed Adnan Saygun Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. The premiere, which included 65 orchestra artists, 57 choir artists and 4 soloists, gave the audience unforgettable moments. At the end of the program, the performers received a standing ovation.
“We will keep shouting”
Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyer, thanking the artists, “Good luck to you, you are amazing. This is a struggle for rights and this is a state of being vigilant. I congratulate Sefa Taşkın, the former mayor of Bergama, who has been leading the way since the beginning of the story, for starting this journey. Our altar is a child separated from its mother and we want it back. We want him to return to his mother's arms, to his homeland. "We will continue to shout loudly as we did tonight."
“We will achieve this together”
Expressing that he believes the efforts will be successful, President Soyer continued his words as follows: “You will see, those deaf ears will hear it. And he will eventually return to his mother. We will achieve this together. Have no doubts. Because we are right, we will win. We will take back not only our altar, but all the wealth that this beautiful land produces, one by one, if we are entitled to it.” President Soyer also thanked Suat Çağlayan, whom he called the architect of the night.
Olive branch from President Soyer
President Soyer also gave a speech to Suat Çağlayan, Tolga Taviş, Gülümden Alev Karaman, choir conductor Çiğdem Aytepe, narrator Hakan Gerçek, soloists Eylem Dorukhan Duru (Soprano), Ferda Yetişer (Mezzo Soprano), Erdem Erdoğan (Tenor) and Engin Suna (Bass). He gave an olive tree, a symbol of peace and immortality.
The piece, for which Izmir Metropolitan Municipality owns all the rights as its own project, will be able to be performed all over the world thanks to its polyphonic form.
On display at the Pergamon (Bergama) Museum
Pergamon Altar of Zeus or Zeus Altar, which was included in the World Cultural Heritage list in 2014, was built by the Attalos Dynasty, which ruled the Pergamon Kingdom, in the BC. It was built in the 2nd century. The frescoes on the marble coating inside and outside are considered among the most important works of art history. The remains of this magnificent building were taken to Germany in the 1870s. Today, it is exhibited in the Pergamon (Bergama) Museum in Berlin. Mayor of Izmir Metropolitan Municipality Tunç Soyerheld a meeting with wide participation on February 25, 2021 at the Bergama Cultural Center to determine the roadmap for bringing the Altar of Zeus to Bergama, his homeland.
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