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The Future Belongs to the Brave
In the summer of 2013, the world witnessed one of the biggest civil uprisings in the history of the Republic of Turkey. It all started with a brutal police intervention during an environmentalist protest to save Gezi Park from demolishing (to build a shopping mall instead), one of the few remaining green spaces located in the heart of Istanbul – Taksim Square. The uprising quickly grew nationwide in a couple of days. After heavy clashes between protestors and the police, Taksim Square was claimed by the public and the 15 days of park occupation and communal life began. The Park embraced people from all walks of life; masses of people having opposite ideologies, life styles, and beliefs lived peacefully inside this temporarily occupied zone. Even after the brutal crackdown, things have changed irreversibly in the peoples minds.
In the course of the events from May 31st to July 15th, it is fair to note the adaptation of the people to the zeitgeist was bewildering. This behavioral transition engendered unique phenomena. The lifestyles, daily routines, intentions, habits of the people have changed in a single day. Even the apparel changed from hot summer shirts and slippers to donning gas masks, bandanas, thick jackets and heat-resistant gloves for physical protection. Throughout this experience, status quo was “the ordinary of the unusual”. The unusual nature of this gathering resulted in diverse feelings, ideas and experiences: what constitutes the Gezi Spirit today.
Photo cedits: NAR Photos
Sound: Marcel Martin