In the Grip of Arbitrariness

IN THE GRIP OF ARBITRARINESS

TO THE PUBLIC

According to information appearing in the press and public media, a concert dated 20 February 2026 — scheduled in the season programme of the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, prepared approximately one year in advance in accordance with the relevant legislation, submitted for the approval of the Ministry, and published with forewords by the Director General and the Minister following approval — featuring approximately 200 artists, was cancelled without any explanation being provided to the public. The rehearsals for the concert in question had already begun, its tickets had been sold, and the event had been officially announced in the schedule.

The press reports contain no clear and official statement from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism regarding the specific grounds on which the concert was cancelled. The failure to provide any information as to the legal or administrative reason for invalidating a concert that had been planned, approved, and publicly announced in advance creates serious uncertainty.

The cancelled concert was an event planned approximately one year in advance and officially announced with Ministerial approval, in which the internationally acclaimed countertenor Bruno de Sá — who possesses an extraordinarily rare vocal timbre and advanced technical virtuosity — was to appear as soloist.

Pursuant to the applicable regulations, this programme was prepared by the Orchestra's Board of Directors under the chairmanship of the Conductor, and came into effect with the knowledge and official approval of the Director General and the Ministry.

Despite such extensive advance planning, international artist engagement, and institutional approval — cancelling a ticketed event, with artists and audiences having already arrived in Ankara, without providing any justification to the Institution, the public, or citizens — is not merely an organizational failure; it is a grave administrative deficiency incompatible with the seriousness of public administration.

This approach also constitutes a manifest disrespect to the historical and institutional prestige of the Presidential Symphony Orchestra, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year, and reduces one of Turkey's most venerable arts institutions — and, according to reports in the press, the CSO management that was allegedly informed of the cancellation only after the fact — to a position of public embarrassment.

The claims appearing in domestic and foreign press suggesting that the cancellation originated from possible "reservations" about the soloist's image or personal characteristics such as sexual orientation are particularly and separately alarming. Should such a situation exist, this would be not merely an artistic interference, but a direct suspicion of a human rights violation. Subjecting artists to discriminatory treatment on the basis of their identity, lifestyle, or orientation is in clear conflict with the principle of equality in the Constitution, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the international conventions to which Turkey is a party.

Moreover, Bruno de Sá has previously performed concerts in Turkey with the İzmir and Bursa State Symphony Orchestras, also with the approval of the General Directorate and the Ministry; those events were successfully carried out without any incident. Permitting the same artist to perform with different state orchestras while blocking the performance at the Presidential Symphony Orchestra specifically is plainly contrary to the principle of equality and to the principle that the administration is bound by its own practices.

If a "concern" now being raised did genuinely exist; Why was this concern not foreseen a year ago? Did the Ministry only become aware of this situation after rehearsals had begun? Why was it not possible to schedule an alternative date for the replaced event? By what deliberations and in what manner was the programme in question approved? What new, specific, and legally legitimate reason emerged at the last moment to make this cancellation necessary?

Every decision taken without answering these questions reinforces suspicions that the administration is in violation of the principles of foreseeability, legal certainty, transparency, and accountability, and deepens the public perception of arbitrary censorship.

For these reasons: — We strongly and clearly condemn the cancellation of the said concert — allegedly without even informing the institution — without justification and at the last minute. — We demand that the authority — whether the Director General, the Minister, or another body — by whom and on what grounds the decision was taken, be publicly announced in an official, open, and auditable statement. — We consider it imperative that unconditional respect be shown for the administrative and artistic autonomy of arts institutions, so that this approach — which casts a shadow over the 200-year institutional legacy of the Presidential Symphony Orchestra — is not repeated.

We respectfully announce to the public that we will continue to resolutely defend art, artists, and public arts institutions against all forms of arbitrary interference, pressure on artistic decisions, covert censorship, and discriminatory practices.