How Did We Get Here
The origins of Turkey's social context, traced via artworks, and elements of popular culture and social movements since 1980.
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Academic staff dismissed from their positions in higher education institutions in 1983, by the Martial Law administration in line with Law No. 1402, began to seek new initiatives. Planned as an alternative educational institution in this process, BİLAR Center of Science was to be founded as a commercial enterprise, by taking advantage of privileges and exemption afforded it by the private sector. The institution, which opened in 1986 under the name Ekin-BİLAR A.Ş. with writer Aziz Nesin as its chairperson, carried out cultural and educational activities. In addition to its headquarters in Kızılay (Ankara), BİLAR also had a contact office in Şişhane (Istanbul) and a branch in Alsancak (Izmir).
BİLAR Center of Science hosted interdisciplinary seminars and symposiums (…) It aimed at studying Marxism in an approach that departed from traditionalism; and for the first time provided a platform for issues such as feminism, gender orientation, environment and everyday culture to be discussed from academic viewpoints.
In June 1987, the General Students’ Committee Allgemeiner Studierendenausschuss (AStA) in Federal Republic of Germany initiated a campaign of solidarity with BİLAR. (…)
Archive: Aziz Nesin Archive, Gülnur Acar-Savran, İbrahim Eren
© Photo: Haupt & Binder
The origins of Turkey's social context, traced via artworks, and elements of popular culture and social movements since 1980.