“As a people, we are in great pain. It is said that more than a hundred thousand people are still under the ruins. Historical Antakya (Antioch) almost wiped off the face of the earth. – says Zulfi Livaneli “K”.Turkish musician, writer, filmmaker and screenwriter who, at the age of 76, remains a powerful artist and activist.

It is known that Livaneli is his beloved partner Miki Theodorakis, a friend of Greece and a defender of democracy – he is not shy when he comments on the political situation in Turkey, or when he sings. In his concerts, which attract a wide audience and resonate across generations and borders, he performs his songs, which, in his words, “transmit the last 50 years of Turkey’s political history.” As an author, and a successful one, he has been translated into 37 languages, and his book was recently published in Greece. “The Fisherman and His Son” (Ed. Pataki) – He believes that both his words and his silence are important, so he cannot calm down.

In connection with the recent tragic events that shook Turkey and the whole world, we sought out Mr. Livaneli in Constantinople Where does he live. In a recent interview with the Financial Times, he said that “Turkey is a country that lives in constant twilight.” But how does he see the current situation?

“The origin of two separate earthquakes of this magnitude is unprecedented in world history,” experts say, he replies. “A fifth of the country was destroyed. Relatives and friends died. In the economic and state crisis, which we have already experienced, we have received another big blow. As everyone understands, the administration was very late with its intervention. There are still serious shortcomings. Erdogan is the Erdogan we have always known. In the meantime, solidarity has been a great consolation, especially from our Greek friends. The hard work of the Greek teams, the friendship shown in all the Greek media, the Prime Minister’s message deeply touched millions of people.”

In the economic and state crisis, which we have already experienced, we have received another big blow.

One of his tweets last night read: “Good people and ruthless jackals live together in this country.” His comments do not go unnoticed inside and outside of Turkey, because Livaneli is one of the most prominent figures in his homeland. He speaks excitedly of the humanitarian movements sweeping the country as it experiences what he calls an “outburst of kindness.”

However, he elaborates: “The confrontation of extremes is a reality in Turkey. The millions of people mobilized to support us are making an exceptional effort, while some of our compatriots are committing atrocities by stealing relief trucks, robbing the dead, or acting only for political gain.”

At the moment in Turkey, he tells us, the AHBAP association, made up of artists, is working more efficiently than official bodies. “Civil society is active,” he emphasizes. “But the problem is that many areas, villages and cities are still inaccessible.”

Mickey in 99

From his long musicalography – Livaneli became famous in Turkey, starting with an album of protest songs released in exile after his imprisonment and flight from the country due to the 1971 military coup – one piece is well known and especially loved in Greece thanks to his collaboration. with Mikis Theodorakis and Maria Farandouris. His thought always remains with them: “This earthquake brought back a memory to me. After the 1999 earthquake in Turkey, we gave a charity concert with Mikis Theodorakis at Syntagma Square. The day we were rehearsing, there was an earthquake in Athens. Of course the concert was cancelled. If this great and dear friend were alive, he would definitely try to help in this earthquake,” he says.