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Welcome to Turkish Shakespeares.
This site aims to introduce Turkish Shakespeares to a broader international audience. You will find the latest news about Shakespeare in Turkey, blog posts about the reception and production of Shakespeare in Turkey and a Bibliography of Shakespeare in Turkey.
Latest News
An Ideological Revolution: Bedia Muvahhit as Desdemona
Profound transformations ensued after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the Turkish Republic in 1923 under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. Various reforms were carried out by the ruling elite. The new regime wanted to modernize the country in a short period of time. Their fundamental aim was to cut… Continue reading An Ideological Revolution: Bedia Muvahhit as Desdemona
Afife Jale and How She was Prevented from Becoming one of the First Muslim Shakespeare Performers in Turkey
Non-Muslim women experienced a relative freedom on the stage in the late Ottoman period in Turkey. Due to sharia rules that forbade the presence of non-related men in the presence of women, Muslim women were not allowed to perform in plays. The İstanbul City Theatre’s attempts in 1918 to train Muslim actresses like Afife (1902-1941)… Continue reading Afife Jale and How She was Prevented from Becoming one of the First Muslim Shakespeare Performers in Turkey
An Istanbulite in Hamlet
When the famous French actress Sarah Bernhardt performed Hernani before the audience in Paris, the dates show 21 November 1877. There is also a famous poet among the audience who came to the Comedie Française to watch Sarah Bernhardt as Dona Sol. When the play is over, the poet gives Sarah Bernhardt a standing ovation… Continue reading An Istanbulite in Hamlet
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Turkish Shakespeares 