Sahnelerde

Sahnelerde refers to the collective concept of stage spaces within Turkish performing arts, encompassing both the physical theatres and the conceptual realms where drama, music, and dance are presented. The term is derived from the Turkish word sahne, meaning “stage,” and the plural suffix –lerde. In Turkey, sahnelerde have played a key role in cultural expression since the Ottoman era, when court performances and religious recitations were staged in imperial courts and mosques. The early 20th century saw the rise of secular modernist theatre, with pioneers such as Halit Ziya Uşaklıgil and Aydın Doğan establishing stage companies that adapted Western dramaturge while incorporating local themes. The post‑Republican period further expanded sahnelerde through state-supported institutions like the National Theatre and academic drama schools, fostering a vibrant performance culture. Today, sahnelerde encompass a wide spectrum of venues ranging from large proscenium theatres in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, to intimate walking theatres and youth theatres in provincial towns. The diversity of styles – comedy, tragedy, opera, and contemporary experimental works – reflects Turkey’s cultural plurality. In contemporary discourse, sahnelerde is often used to underscore the dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation, highlighting how stage performance remains a living, adaptive art form that continually reshapes its cultural context.