Following the 27th Yapı Kredi Afife Theatre Awards, Moda Sahnesi announced that it would boycott all future award ceremonies, citing systemic inequality between state-funded and independent theatres. “State and independent theatres must be evaluated in separate categories — otherwise, we will not participate in any award,” the company declared.
State Theatres vs. Independent Theatres
In a statement issued on October 7, 2025, Moda Sahnesi criticized the Afife Awards for overlooking private and independent theatres. The company emphasized that the five awards given to the joint production of Ankara and Istanbul State Theatres (Medea Material) revealed the structural imbalance between state-funded and independent institutions.
The statement pointed out that the State Theatres, supported by substantial public funding, operate under vastly different conditions compared to independent groups. According to the data shared, while the Ministry of Culture and Tourism allocated around ₺60 million to support 450 private theatres last season — roughly ₺133,000 per theatre annually — the State Theatres received ₺3.375 billion in total, equating to nearly ₺1,500 in public funding per audience member.
Moda Sahnesi described this disparity as “the institutionalization of inequality” and “a denial of independent theatres’ right to exist.”
“Separate Categories Are a Must”
The statement called for an immediate restructuring of award systems:
“State-funded and independent theatres cannot be treated as equals. They must be evaluated in separate categories. Unless this distinction is made, Moda Sahnesi will not take part in any theatre award from now on.”
A Call for Cultural Democracy
Moda Sahnesi stressed that its decision is not merely a boycott but a call for fairness and democracy in cultural policy:
“To create art in a free, just, and equal country, all theatres must be provided with equitable production conditions. Public authorities must take action to correct this imbalance. We view this distinction as essential for a democratic society.”
The statement quickly resonated across Turkey’s theatre community, reigniting long-standing debates about funding inequality, cultural policy, and the independence of the arts.
