“‘Muhteşem Yüzyıl’ı izlerken esas üzerinde durulması gereken, onun tarihimizi ne kadar doğru aktardığı değil, bugünkü hayatımıza ne ölçüde ayna tutup tutmadığı olmalı.
Tarihin, daha doğrusu tarihyazımının çoğu zaman, özellikle de politik-ideolojik stratejiler eşliğinde geçmişi bugüne taşımaktan çok bugünden hareketle bir geçmiş kurduğu, ‘vakıa’dır. ‘Bugün’ değiştiğinde tarih de değişir ve her yeni kuşakta yeniden yazılır. John Dewey’in çarpıcı kaydıyla, “Yeni bir ‘bugün’ doğduğunda ‘geçmiş’ de artık başka ve farklı bir bugünün geçmişi”dir. O yüzden karşımıza her ne şekilde gelirse gelsin, ‘tarih’ denilen metinsel ürünün içinde biz geçmiş kadar, satır aralarında, fısıltı halinde bugünü buluruz. Dolayısıyla tarih, geçmişe dair ama bugüne ait bir söylemsel pratiktir.
Bunları ‘Muhteşem Yüzyıl’ ve bu dizi dolayımıyla Kanuni ‘gerçeği’ üzerine hanidir sürdürülen sert tartışmaların etkisiyle yazıyorum. İddia malûm; dizide ecdadımız yanlış tanıtılıyor… Yukarıda belirtilenler paralelinde diyebiliriz ki ecdadımızın doğrusunun ne olduğu anlayış meselesidir ve ‘zamanın ruhu’na göre değişebilir. Kıymetli tarihçi Salih Özbaran’ın yıllar önce vurguladığı üzere “geçmiş değişmese de bizim geçmişi algılama, kabullenme, yönlendirme niyetlerimiz sürekli değişiyor” olduğu için, hayat aktıkça ‘ecdad’a ilişkin ‘doğru’nun çoğulluğunun kaçınılmaz olacağını hatırda tutmak gerekir. ” […]
Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay while responding to questions from the Association of Diplomacy Correspondents in Ankara. AA photo. Source : Hürriyet Daily News
“Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay has harshly criticized the demand from the İzmir Education Directorate to censor a number of “immoral” parts of John Steinbeck’s famous novel, “Of Mice and Men.”, daily Hürriyet has reported. […]
Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay also responded to questions regarding the soap opera “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” (The Magnificent Century), which was recently harshly criticized by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
“The Magnificent Süleyman is doubtless was world emperor. But he was slave of his love at the same time, and this is a real story, not fiction. If this story had been filmed as an international project it could have shaken the world, but it disappointed me,” Günay said.
“Even before the prime minister’s criticism I also thought the scenario had been written a bit carelessly,” he added.
Erdoğan had criticized the series for its showing of sixteenth century Ottoman Emperor Süleyman the Magnificent in the palace with women in many scenes. He said this misrepresented Süleyman and invited prosecutors to sue it.
“A petition to protect the memory of Ottoman sultans following recent controversy over a Turkish historical TV drama has been submitted to Turkish Parliament’s Petition Commission.
The petition demands a similar version of the law on the protection of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk’s memory for the memory of the sultans of the Ottoman Empire, a “600-year sovereign world power.” Under the petition, which was signed by 10 people, those found guilty of insulting the sultans could face prison time.
The suggestion provoked opprobrium from some opposition parties. “Such a law would be harmful for Turkey’s European Union aim in the context of freedom of speech,” main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Bursa deputy Aykan Erdemir told Anatolia news agency.
Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputy Altan Tan also said it was “nonsense” to legislate respect for the Ottoman sultans.
But Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputy Özcan Yeniçeri said there could be a way to create a general law that would require the respect of all Turkish leaders rather than a specific one without harming democratic rights and the liberties of people.
The petition comes in the wake of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s criticism of the hit TV soap opera “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” (The Magnificent Century) on the grounds that it was insulting to Süleyman the Magnificent as it showed the Ottoman leader more engaged in court intrigues than in conquering foreign lands. Erdoğan called for judicial action against the show, and members of his party have vowed to force the show off the air in 2013.”
“Türk dizilerinin en çok izlendiği ülkelerden biri olan Hırvatistan’da yeni yıl dolayısıyla düzenlenen hediyelik eşya fuarında, Muhteşem Yüzyıl dizisi hediyelikleri yerel yıldızlarınkinden çok sattı.
ZAGREB – Fuarda Türk sanatçıların fotoğraflarının bulunduğu eşyaların satılması medyada eleştirilirken, dizide Kanuni Sultan Süleyman’ı canlandıran sanatçının resminin yer aldığı bardağın, Hollanda ‘nın Lahey kentinde eski Yugoslavya için kurulan Uluslararası Ceza Mahkemesi tarafından serbest bırakılan ve son günlerde ülkedeki en popüler kişi olan eski general Ante Gotovina’nınkinden daha çok satılması dikkati çekti.
Hırvatistan’ın başkenti Zagreb’de, 6-19 Aralık tarihleri arasında kutlanan “Aziz Nikola” da denilen “Noel Bayramı” ve yaklaşan yeni yıl dolayısıyla hediyelik eşya fuarı düzenlendi.
Her yıl organize edilen fuara, çocuklara hediyelerin verildiği Aziz Nikola Günü’nde bu yıl da ilgi yoğundu. Zagreb’de yaşayanlar çocuklarına hediye almak için fuara büyük ilgi gösterirken, Türk dizilerinin çok izlendiği ülkelerden biri olan Hırvatistan’daki hediyelik eşya fuarına bu yıl, Türkiye ‘de yayımlanan ve bölgede de takip edilen Muhteşem Yüzyıl dizisi hediyelikleri damgasını vurdu.
Hırvat medyasında, fuarda Türk sanatçıların fotoğraflarının bulunduğu eşyaların satılmasına ilişkin bazı eleştiriler yer alırken, “geleneksel fuarın artık bit pazarına döndüğü” şeklinde değerlendirmeler de yapıldı.
“HOLLYWOOD YILDIZLARINA GÖRE ‘SULYO’ ÇOK DAHA İYİ BİR KARAKTER”
AA muhabirinin konuya ilişkin düşüncelerini sorduğu “Advent Fuarı”nda stant açan bazı satıcılar, medyadaki eleştirilere tepki gösterdi.
Fuarda hediyelik eşya standı açan ve ismini vermek istemeyen bir satıcı, gazetecilere tepki göstererek, “Bizi rahat bırakın, ekmeğimizi kazanalım. Çocuklarımızın karnını doyurmamız lazım. Sultan Süleyman ve Muhteşem Yüzyıl hediyelik eşyalarını satmamızda bir sorun yok. Bu fuar kilisenin organize ettiği bir fuar değil. Hollywood yıldızlarının resimleriyle hediyelikler sattığımız zaman sorun yok, Sultan Süleyman olunca sıkıntı. Hollywood yıldızlarına göre ‘Sulyo’ (Süleyman) çok daha iyi bir karakter” diye konuştu.
Hırvatistan menşeli olmayan ürün satmakla suçlandıklarını da belirten satıcılar ise kısa süre önce Lahey’deki mahkeme tarafından serbest bırakılan eski general Ante Gotovina ve “Sultan Süleyman” resimli bardaklarının Hırvatistan malı olduğunu söyledi.” […]
“AKP İstanbul Milletvekili Oktay Saral, tarihi dizilerin yayınlanmasına ilişkin yeni kriterler getiren kanun teklifini parti grubuna sundu.
Erdoğan’ın hedef haline getirdiği Muhteşem Yüzyıl adlı diziye yasak geliyor. AKP İstanbul Milletvekili Oktay Saral, Radyo ve Televizyonların Kuruluş ve Yayın Hizmetleri Hakkında Kanunun ”Yayın Hizmetleri İlkeleri” başlığına yeni bir fıkra eklemeyi öngören kanun teklifi hazırlayarak, parti grubuna sundu.
AA’nın haberine göre, Saral’ın Kanun teklifinde, “yayın hizmetleri, toplumun milli değerleri içerisinde kabul edilen tarihi olayları ve şahsiyetleri; küçük düşüren, aşağılayan, çarpıtan veya olduğundan tamamen farklı gösteren nitelikte olamayacak” ifadesi yer alıyor.
Bu teklifin Erdoğan’ın açıklamalarının ardından gelmesi, “Muhteşem Yüzyıl’a yasak geliyor” şeklinde yorumlandı.
Konuya ilişkin açıklama yapan Saral şöyle konuştu:
“Örneğin ömrü at sırtında ülkesine ve milletine hizmet yapmakla geçmiş olan Kanuni Sultan Süleyman, tamamen yatak odasından müteşekkil ve çarpık ilişkilere dayalı bir hayat içerisinde gösterilmektedir. Çocuklarımız ve gençlerimiz bu yayınları izlemekte ve tarihi şahsiyetleri bu yayınlar çerçevesinde değerlendirmektedir. Ayrıca bu diziler yurt dışına da seyredilmekte ve diğer milletler nezdinde tarihsel şahsiyetlerimiz hakkında yanlış olgular meydana gelmektedir.”
“A businessman in the tourism industry has filed a criminal complaint against a controversial historical soap opera aired on a Turkish network, accusing it of undermining people’s understanding of Turkish history.
Ömer Faruk Bildirici, who lives in the central province of Konya, filed the complaint on Friday in a Konya court against “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” (Magnificent Century), a soap opera centered on the intrigues of the Ottoman Palace that airs on Star TV.
Bildirici accused the TV show of distorting society’s perceptions of certain historical incidents and figures and demanded a ban on the TV show in a petition which will be forwarded to the İstanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office.
“Muhteşem Yüzyıl” has become a top issue of debate in the country after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan severely criticized the show, saying it undermines the golden age of Turkish history, as it portrays Ottoman Sultan Süleyman the Magnificent, known as Kanuni in Turkish, who reigned from his coronation in 1520 to his death in 1566, in a way conservatives in Turkey say is skewed.
Erdoğan not only lashed out at the show but also at its producers, as well as the owner of the network that runs it. “We know no such Kanuni. He spent 30 years of his life on horseback [as opposed to the life of indulgence portrayed in the series]. I publicly condemn the directors of that show and the owners of the television station. We have warned the authorities about this. I expect the judiciary to make the right decision.”
The series has been on the air for two years. Erdoğan and other government representatives have occasionally expressed their annoyance with it, but this was the first time Erdoğan called on the judiciary to act against the show, sparking a major controversy about free speech in Turkey.”
“Ülkenin temel meselelerinin ötesinde her mevzuya dair yorum yapmasına yönelik eleştirileri “Bu ülkenin Başbakanı olarak bu da benim görevim…” şeklinde göğüsleyen Tayyip Erdoğan’ın gündemini şu sıralar Muhteşem Yüzyıl meşgul ediyor.
Yayınlanmaya başlandığı günden bu yana pek çok kez gerici köşe yazarlarının ve RTÜK’ün, tarihi çarpıttığı gerekçesiyle hedef aldığı dizi şimdi de Başbakan’ın gündemine girdi. Kütahya’da katıldığı hava alanı açılışında konuşma yapan Tayyip Erdoğan 2 senedir yayında olan ve Kanuni Sultan Süleyman zamanının Osmanlı’sını anlatan Muhteşem Yüzyıl dizisine ateş püskürdü. Başbakan; “Bizim öyle bir ecdadımız yok. Biz öyle bir Kanuni tanımadık. Biz öyle bir Sultan Süleyman tanımadık. Onun ömrünün 30 yılı at sırtında geçti. Sarayda o gördüğünüz dizilerdeki gibi geçmedi” diyerek dizinin gerçeği yansıtmadığını iddia etti.
Tasvip etmediği durumlarda ‘yargıya talimat verdiğini’ söylemekte bir beis görmeyen Başbakan, “Bu konuda da ilgilileri uyarmamıza rağmen yargının da gerekli kararı vermesini bekliyoruz. Böyle bir anlayış olamaz. Bu milletin değerleriyle oynayanlara milletçe gereken dersin, cevabın hukuk içinde verilmesi gerekir” diyerek yargıyla olan ilişkisinin altını bir kez daha çizmiş oldu. Başbakanın uzlaşamadığı kaç gazetecinin işinden olduğu anımsandığında, “Ben o dizilerin yönetmenlerini de o televizyonların sahiplerini de milletimin huzurunda kınıyorum” dediği yönetmen ve televizyoncuların akıbeti merak konusu oldu.” […]
Ertuğrul Günay is speaking at a ceremony, saying that Erdoğan was right to criticize the popular series. AA photos. Source : Hürriyet
“Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay has said Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was right to criticize the popular TV series Muhteşem Yüzyıl (The Magnificent Century).
“The prime minister has a very reasonable approach. He has suggested that everyone should be more careful when they write a scenario,” said Günay, adding that the historical era in question was an important one and was not imaginary.
Günay said the clothes, environment, setting and events portrayed in such TV series should more closely mirror reality, which would increase the value of the work. “If this happens then the discussions would stop. We cannot deny the labor of people who are working on these series, but I think everyone could be more careful in terms of scenarios and reflecting reality,” he said.
Erdoğan had earlier heavily criticized Muhteşem Yüzyıl on Nov. 25, for its portrayal of the Ottoman ruler Süleyman the Magnificent.
“We alerted the authorities regarding this and we wait for a judicial decision on it,” Erdoğan said. “Those who toy with these values should be taught a lesson within the premises of law.”
‘Intervention in the judiciary’
The show, which airs in Turkey and abroad, follows the lives of Sultan Süleyman and his lover, the Hürrem Sultan. The show focuses on Süleyman’s personal and palace life, portraying characters from the harem as well as from the royal family.
Erdoğan’s critique of Sultan Süleyman’s portrayal has led to rigorous criticism from members of opposition parties.
Some described Erdoğan’s behavior as an intervention in the judiciary in light of his comments that regarding a judicial decision while others said the prime minister was trying to divert the country’s agenda.
Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy chair Erdoğan Toprak described Erdoğan’s approach as “grave, authoritarian and unhealthy,” daily Radikal reported Nov. 26.”
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. AA photo. Source : Hürriyet
“Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s heavy criticism Nov. 25 of the hit Turkish TV soap opera “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” (The Magnificent Century) for its portrayal of the Ottoman ruler Süleyman the Magnificent has led to rigorous criticism by members of opposition parties.
Some described Erdoğan’s behavior as an intervention in the judiciary because he had said, “We have alerted the authorities on this, and we wait for judicial decision on it.” Others said the prime minister was mainly trying to divert the country’s agenda.[…]
Tv series and historical facts
“Did it just occur to him now? This TV series has been on the air for more than a year,” Büyükataman told Radikal. “The series should be reviewed in line with historical facts, but I don’t believe in the sincerity of Mr. Prime Minister’s approach.”
Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputy parliamentary group chair İdris Balüken said Erdoğan’s main problem was his aspiration to tyrannize over arts and artists, while also intervening in the judiciary as the judiciary itself has already been manipulated by his positions.
“Taking this aspect into consideration, we can estimate the greatness of the danger of an order given to the judiciary for censorship and to take the arts under its control,” Balüken said.”
“Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Ministry has responded to the prime minister’s recent suggestion that “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” (The Magnificent Century) was misrepresenting Ottoman history, emphasizing the show’s number large viewership, as well as the general economic benefits of Turkish TV series.
“At the end of 2010 we had $65 mln in export revenue thanks to these T.V. series,” the head of the Intellectual Property Rights Property Rights department of the ministry, Abdullah Çelik, said in a speech at the Trakya University Balkans Congress Center.
“We exported 10,500 hours of T.V. series’ in 2011, however we had no export revenue in 2006,” he said, adding that such series reached 150 million people in 76 countries around the world.
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan dished out heavy criticism on the hit Turkish TV series, “Muhteşem Yüzyıl,” (The Magnificent Century) for its portrayal of the Ottoman ruler Süleyman on Nov. 25. “[…]
PM R.T. Erdogan. AA photo. Source : Hürriyet Daily News
“Turkey should follow in its ancestors’ footsteps and go everywhere they have travelled to, the Turkish prime minister said during the opening ceremony of Kütahya Zafer Airport on Nov.25.
“We move with the minds of our Dumlupınar martyrs,” Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said. “We move with the spirit that founded the Ottoman Empire.”
Erdoğan then criticized the opposition for asking “what [Turkey] was doing in Gaza, Syria and Sudan.”
“We must go everywhere our ancestors have been,” Erdoğan said. “We can not take [Atatürk’s philosophy of] peace at home, peace in the world as passivity.”
“We have no eyes on any country’s land,” Erdoğan said. “We want stability in the region as much as we want stability in our homeland. We always side with dialogue to solve problems, but if there is a threat against our country then we will not refrain from taking the necessary precautions. We will not remain silent.”
PM slams Ottoman TV show
In the same speech Erdoğan also dished out heavy criticism on the hit Turkish TV series, “Muhteşem Yüzyıl,” (The Magnificent Century) for its portrayal of the Ottoman ruler Süleyman.
“We alerted the authorities on this and we wait for judicial decision on it,” Erdoğan said. “Those who toy with these values should be taught a lesson within the premises of law.”
Muhteşem Yüzyıl is a popular TV show airing in Turkey and abroad, which follows the lives of the Ottoman ruler Süleyman and his love Hürrem Sultan. The show focuses more on Süleyman’s personal life and palace life, portraying characters from the harem, as well as from the royal family. “
Historical dramas, such as ‘Muhteşem Yüzyıl’ (The Magnificent Century), are fictionalized accounts of the lives of sultans rather than historically accurate documentaries, according to academics. Source : Hürriyet
“Academics gather to discuss the increasing popularity of historical TV series in Turkey, noting the distinction between fact and fiction is often misunderstood by audiences. “The fictional side needs much more work because no one knows how a sultan approaches his wife,’ says an academic
It is important for television viewers to understand that historical dramas, such as the wildly popular “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” (The Magnificent Century), are fictionalized accounts of the lives of sultans rather than historically accurate documentaries, according to academics.
“Turkish people confuse the idea of TV series and documentary. A TV series is a different thing than a documentary,” said Erhan Afyoncu, a professor on the board of the Atatürk High Institute of Culture, Language and History, as well as a former consultant for “The Magnificent Century.”
Fictional side
Some have issued criticisms of historical series, Afyoncu said during a recent symposium in the northern province of Tokat, but added that it was difficult to produce such series.
“Historic TV series have a reality side as well as a fictional side,” the former consultant said. “The fictional side needs much more work. You have to create a fiction. You know the political events from history and you stick to this reality when making a TV series. But no one knows how a sultan approached his wife or how he behaved in daily life. This is why you have to fictionalize it. We did it in ‘Magnificent Century.’ There were discussions about sending Süleyman the Magnificent on journeys in the TV series. But I added these journey scenes to the series. But it is interesting that the series had lower ratings in these episodes.” […]
Historical dramas, such as ‘Muhteşem Yüzyıl’ (The Magnificent Century), are fictionalized accounts of the lives of sultans rather than historically accurate documentaries, according to academics. . Source : Hürriyet
“Academics gather to discuss the increasing popularity of historical TV series in Turkey, noting the distinction between fact and fiction is often misunderstood by audiences. “The fictional side needs much more work because no one knows how a sultan approaches his wife,’ says an academic.
It is important for television viewers to understand that historical dramas, such as the wildly popular “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” (The Magnificent Century), are fictionalized accounts of the lives of sultans rather than historically accurate documentaries, according to academics.
“Turkish people confuse the idea of TV series and documentary. A TV series is a different thing than a documentary,” said Erhan Afyoncu, a professor on the board of the Atatürk High Institute of Culture, Language and History, as well as a former consultant for “The Magnificent Century.”
Fictional side
Some have issued criticisms of historical series, Afyoncu said during a recent symposium in the northern province of Tokat, but added that it was difficult to produce such series.
“Historic TV series have a reality side as well as a fictional side,” the former consultant said. “The fictional side needs much more work. You have to create a fiction. You know the political events from history and you stick to this reality when making a TV series. But no one knows how a sultan approached his wife or how he behaved in daily life. This is why you have to fictionalize it. We did it in ‘Magnificent Century.’ There were discussions about sending Süleyman the Magnificent on journeys in the TV series. But I added these journey scenes to the series. But it is interesting that the series had lower ratings in these episodes.”
Afyoncu said state-owned television channel Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) had made historic TV series but that they had not attracted much public interest.
“TRT made TV series without women and their intrigues. People criticize other TV series but do not watch these ones. This is what I don’t understand,” Afyoncu said.
Secrecy of privacy
Fictionalization is occasionally necessary when there is a dearth of historical documents, said Professor Ali Açıkel, another symposium participant and a historian at Gaziosmanpaşa University, but added that these dramatizations should not contradict historical facts, general customs, traditions and law.
Scenarios set in historical times should not be infused with the perceptions of the present, Açıkel said, adding that ethical values should also be reflected in perceptions.
“The secrecy of private life should be respected. Otherwise, it is disrespectful to the private life of the Ottoman sultans. TV series are based on fiction when documents and information is insufficient. Documentaries aim to inform people according to a chronological order. There is no fiction in documentaries but some parts of TV series are fictional.”
Greek television audiences especially enjoy ‘Magnificent Century.’ The famous series is broadcast in Greece under the title ‘The Magnificent Suleiman.’ . Source : Hürriyet
“Turkish television series that are broadcast in different countries are raising interest in Turkish language abroad. While Turkish TV series face many criticisms, they are also boosting interest in Turkish culture and language.
Greek audiences, in particular, have learned a number of Turkish words thanks to the series that are aired in their country. Turkish series such as “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” (Magnificent Century), “Sıla,” “Asi,” “Acı Hayat” (Bitter Life), “Deniz Yıldızı” (Starfish) and “Lale Devri” (Tulip Age) are among those shown in Greece, and Greek people have learned simple words in Turkish from them, such as “Hello,” “How are you?,” “My dear,” and also words like “Okay.”
Audience love Turkish actors
Greek television audiences especially enjoy “Magnificent Century.” The series is broadcast in Greece under the title “The Magnificent Suleiman.” Greek audiences love Turkish actors such as Kenan İmirzalıoğlu, Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ and Beren Saat. Greeks generally say that they do not see very many differences between themselves and Turkish people. They also say the Turkish TV series remind them of family life in their own society.
Greek people learn Turkish words from watching such TV series as “Magnificent Century,” “Asi” and “Sıla,” Kostantina Ilia, the owner of a small restaurant in Athens’ Sintagma Square, told Anatolia news agency.
“I do not know if I will be able to visit Turkey, but I would like to visit the country or take lessons to learn more Turkish words,” she said. “I think all of the actors in Turkish series are very talented,” she said, adding that İmirzalıoğlu is especially popular.
Golden Dawn party leader Nikos Mihaloliakos has some negative ideas about Turkish series, but all Greeks do not agree with his views, Ilia said.
“Turkish series depict strong family relationships,” said Klea Vakifli, working in a café that sells Turkish desserts. “Magnificent Century” and “Sıla” are the Turkish series most watched by Greek viewers, Vakifli said.”
“Turkish actress Cansu Dere is the most recent addition to the cast of the hit Turkish TV show “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” (The Magnificent Century), as the new season approaches.
Dere will be playing an Iranian woman named Firuze, who steals Sultan Süleyman’s heart in upcoming episodes of the show.
The next season will focus heavily on the power play between Leyla and Hürrem Sultan, played by Meryem Uzerli, and their fight for the love of Sultan Süleyman.”
