Power Stories on Stage – 1
In the first chapter of the Power Stories journey, which began in 2023, a joint program was carried out under different themes to bring these stories to life on stage.
The first Power Stories shared from the stage:
- Let's Calm Down! (Bi' Sakin Olalım!)
- Our Great Desperation (Bizim Büyük Çaresizliğimiz)
- Knitted Solidarity (Örgülü Dayanışma)
- Disaster and Emergency (Afet ve Acil Durum)
- Climate Justice (İklim Adaleti)
Let's Calm Down!
Stories can whisper the essence of truth if we listen closely. Emerging from within society, the Power Stories titled “Take It Easy!” brought to the stage four storytellers—LGBTI+ individuals and their families—who courageously revisited their challenging childhoods and youth. Their shared message was simple yet powerful: Take it easy!
The gathering, held on October 18, 2023, at Tosca Art & Design in Ankara, featured Melis Arslan from Red Umbrella, Anjelik Kelavgil from 17 Mayıs Association, and Nedime Erdoğan and Atilla Dirim from Galader Ankara, who told their stories under the theme “Stories from the Rainbow.”
Solidarity and Struggle
The Power Stories “Our Great Desperation” and “Knitted Solidarity” took the stage on the opening day of the Izmir Civil Voices Festival, held on November 17–18.
Asuman Şahin and Hamit Levent Evci from the Adıyaman Civil Society Solidarity Group shared their vivid stories of solidarity following the February 6 earthquakes, which officially claimed over 53,000 lives, under the title “Our Great Desperation.”
“Knitted Solidarity” presented a story of resilience and connection that emerged from the tragedy of the October 10, 2015 Ankara Train Station bombing. Hatice Kapusuz and Sibel Tekin from the October 10 Solidarity recounted how bonds of solidarity were woven among survivors, leaving us still pondering: In such a harsh, difficult, and merciless culture, can weaving together truly heal wounds?
Disasters and Climate Justice
On April 27, 2023, the Power Story “Disaster and Emergency” met the audience in Eskişehir, hosted by the Minus 25 Association. The event shared life stories from Eskişehir that reflected the human tragedy following the Kahramanmaraş earthquakes, reminding us once again how solidarity saves lives. Yasemin Karakaya and Deniz Cüceoğlu from Minus 25 Association and Canan Geçit from the Women Miners Association took part as storytellers.
Earlier, on February 2, 2023, “Climate Justice” was staged at the Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, featuring Prof. Nesrin Algan from STGM, Raziye İçtepe from the Nature Association, and Ahmet Utku Asma, a new-generation shepherd. Each shared their personal experiences and perspectives on the many dimensions of climate justice.