18.07.2024 10:40
Former Minister of Industry and Technology, Mustafa Varank, reacted to the Mayor of Cesme, Lal Denizli, who expelled a Greek singer from a charity concert because of the Turkish flag, saying, "If you ask the dog you have seated in your position, it would say that a Greek artist should not be removed from the charity night." Denizli responded, "My dog doesn't speak, but even with its actions alone, it has more sensible behavior than you."
Greek singer Despina Vandi did not perform at the concert held in the district of Cesme in Izmir because there were Turkish flags and photos of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk in the venue for the benefit of education. Cesme Mayor Lal Denizli also expelled the artist by saying "Madam, leave the boundaries of this city immediately". After the crisis, former Minister of Industry and Technology, AK Party Bursa Deputy Mustafa Varank, criticized Lal Denizli harshly, leading to a dispute between the two.
VARANK: EVEN A DOG WOULD TELL YOU NOT TO ALLOW A GREEK ARTIST
Recalling Lal Denizli's recent act of placing a dog in his office, Varank said in his post on X account, "Even if you ask the dog you put in your office, it would tell you that a Greek artist should not be allowed to perform at the donation night organized for the Turkish Education Foundation. But first, you gave the stage to those who attack our national values, then you wrapped yourself in patriotism and sang anthems. Classic CHP," he said.
LAL DENIZLI: MY DOG DOESN'T SPEAK, BUT EVEN ITS ACTIONS ARE MORE LOGICAL THAN YOU
In response to Mustafa Varank's words, Lal Denizli harshly replied, "Mr. Varank, in your management understanding, there is no tradition of respecting the free ideas and programs of institutions, so it never occurred to you that the artist preference could belong to them at a charity concert organized by the Turkish Education Foundation in Cesme. Yes, the flag and Ataturk are the red lines not only for us CHP members but also for 85 million people, and protecting our national values in a way that befits them is what we CHP members know best.
Contrary to you, we act not for the sake of patriotism, but to protect them forever. Since I became the Mayor, I have never responded to any discourse, allegation, or unnecessary approach, and I will continue with the same attitude. However, I am responding to show the whole nation how a person who has served as a minister in this country can even stand side by side with those who want to trample on our values just to oppose the CHP. By the way, my dog doesn't speak, it doesn't have such a genetic feature, but believe me, it has more reasonable behavior even with its actions alone. Thank God. Farewell."
GREEK SINGER DID NOT WANT TO GO ON STAGE
A concert was organized for the benefit of education at Cesme Open Air Theater by the Turkish Education Foundation Izmir Branch. According to allegations, the concert of Greek singer Despina Vandi was canceled because she demanded the removal of the Turkish flag and Ataturk poster on stage.
LAL DENIZLI: MADAM, LEAVE THE BOUNDARIES OF THIS CITY IMMEDIATELY
Cesme Mayor Lal Denizli, who took the stage, said, "She wanted the Turkish flag and Ataturk's poster to be taken down. Don't boo, I don't think she is even a person who will tire these beautiful breaths of yours. We have sacrificed too many martyrs to win these lands, and we are people who always believe in and act with the belief that brotherhood and eternal friendship will prevail. No power can attempt to lower our flag or Ataturk's poster. They can't even think about it. Madam, leave the boundaries of this city immediately. With calmness and tranquility. But I hope she never even thinks about taking down the flag of a country in any country she visits again, a flag that they buried many homeland sons and made it their symbol. I hope this will be a historical lesson for her."