KONYA THE CITY OF MY CHILDHOOD

First of all, let’s talk about Konya art as an artist from Konya. What do you think about Konya’s art and perspective on art?

As we all know, Konya is an important cultural center both in history and today. I was born in Ilgın and we used to go to Ilgın during the summer holidays in the past. The city of my childhood is Konya. I did not have the opportunity to come much later. However, we held a concert at the stadium in Ilgın last year. Even though I haven’t had the chance to come to Konya much in recent years, we were following the artistic activities in the city. I know that there are a lot of people who read and write a lot in Konya.

I DON’T SEE MYSELF AS A POLITICIAN

Let’s take a little bit of your political side. You were a deputy of Istanbul in 2002. You became a candidate for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality in the 1994 local elections. How did your political life begin?

First of all, I have never seen myself as a politician. Because the rules of politics are really different. The conditions for being a writer or an artist are different. Art and politics are fundamentally opposite things. As a politician, youhave to say whatever the current audience wants to hear, under the current circumstances. However, as an artist, you have to give to the society whatever lies deep in your heart. Therefore, these can also be timeless words. I have an oppositional personality. Not that I want to oppose. However, when I look at myself, I would like to say that I had a political awareness. In the 60’s we were against the regime. Then it was time for 12 March coups. They put me and my friends in military prisons. Then I went into exile. Various regimes have been experienced in Turkey. I’ve seen a lot of government. But I opposed all of them. Because none of them were perfect for me.

What are your current plans in terms of books?

My first book was published in 1978. At that time, I felt the need to write a book. The title of my book was ‘A Child in Arafat’. I am really happy when my books are translated into 22 languages and gain a universal dimension. It is a source of happiness for me to have my book read even in China. In 2006, my book Leyla’s House became one of the most widely read books. They will make it a series. We’ll see how it goes, I’m curious too. Recently, my books have come to the fore more. Because I have continued my music studies for a very long time. So in this country, people listened to my music in the 70s, 80s and 90s. They still listen now. I had one last job. As ‘Rumi Suite’, which I did not attend as a performer. I made compositions on the English of Rumi’s poems. An American soloist and a foreign orchestra also exhibited this work at the Istanbul festival. This work of ours received a lot of praise from the world, especially in the New York Times. I would like this work to be performed in Konya one day.

Do you plan to sing a song again?

It’s mutual. It’s a matter of resonance. The singer and the community need to have a mutual exchange. As an artist, I am like a fish swimming in the river of society. I flow with that river. I have a very long musical adventure. For example, the conditions in Turkey were very different when I was composing my song “Karlı Kayın Ormanı”. I worked in the music business for a long time. Singing is not something I think in the future. I will focus and speed up my work on books.

What is the number of your artworks?

If we count the albums released in foreign countries, I have 33 albums in total. I have over 400 songs. I’ve made over 30 soundtracks. I have worked on 4 films and I have written 27 books.

What comes to your mind when you think of Konya?

Konya, of course, is a city which is famous for Mevlana. However, when we look at the history of Konya, apart from Mevlana, it has also historical values. Konya is a city of civilization. I don’t want to talk about the political tendency of Konya today. Because these trends always change. Considering the Byzantine period, Konya is a city blended with many cultures. If I told you about Karlı Kayın Ormanı for the first time today, would it make such a big impact? Because it’s not like that time anymore. It would get no attention at a time when songs such as abnormal pop music, fantasy music, arabesque music etc. are so popular. My songs such as Yiğidim Aslanım Burda Yatıyor, Leylim Ley or Ey Özgürlük became so popular as they were composed at that period. For example, when I was on the stage at the Kısaca International Student Film Festival, organized by Selcuk University, Karlı KayınOrmanı was played in the background and the students sang it in unison. These songs were composed before they were even born.

Your pieces were composed in many foreign languages. Today, not only Turkey but also many countries know the name of Zülfü Livaneli. Could you tell us about Zülfü Livaneli from the perspective of foreign countries?

My songs are sung in 24 different languages. There is even an album called Livaneli Songs from World Soloists. For example, Ey Özgürlük in Italian won the first prize on an Italian television. It was even sung in English, German and Arabic. Leylim Ley is so popular in Arabian countries. My songs are even sung in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Uzbekistan and Uyghur.

How many languages have your books been translated into?

-My books have been translated into 40 languages. It is read in many countries. For example, my books are read even in China