Modernity, Education, and Memory: The Theater Scene in Ankara, the Early Republican Capital

Abstract

In the early years of the Republic, Ankara, as the intellectual and administrative space of Turkish modernization, turned into a laboratory where the futurist ideology was projected, the ideals of the new country and the way of life were positioned, and reforms in all areas of life were realized. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's view that a modern society could be built within the framework of cultural developments, his understanding of utilizing the universality and educational value of art, and visual representations were seen as key elements in strengthening national community ties and transferring the codes of the new memory. Ankara's transformation into a modern capital city marks a process of change/transformation, the integration, and consumption of modern life practices into daily life. The messages/codes contained in activities such as theaters, concerts, and exhibitions, which the leaders of the Republic and the civil servants experienced, modeled, and encouraged for the people of Ankara were expected to spread throughout Anatolia, and the modern Turkish society that would emerge was defined as the only force that would ensure the permanence of the revolution. This article focuses on the theatrical activities followed in the capital between 1923 and 1950 and draws attention to the contribution of the Ankara State Conservatory and Tatbikat Stage to the cultural and artistic environment, as well as the establishment of the State Theater and Opera. It discusses the development of theater activities followed in Ankara, the basis on which they developed, the dynamics and movements of the theater scene, and how they became institutionalized. The relationship of the stage with the city and the urbanite was explored through the publications of the period and the documents of the Ankara Community House, and after the institutionalization of the theater stage, through the Ankara State Conservatory; State Theater's archive, State Theaters Refik Ahmet Sevengil Theater Library, Koc University Vehbi Koc Ankara Studies Research Center (VEKAM) archival sources, and Presidency of the Republic of Turkiye Directorate of State Archives and Turkish Grand National Assembly reports. In the light of the documents identified, a general picture of the theater scene, one of the most important actors of the cultural and artistic environment in the capital Ankara in the Early Republican period, was tried to be created.