Interview with Tarkan and Orhan Gencebay taken from the 1st number of the magazine Doga Dernegi.
The lament of Tuz Lake, Hasankeyf, Allianoi and many more key biodiversity areas comes into being with the song entitles “Uyan” – “Wake up”
The song “Uyan” composed by Tarkan for Doga Dernegi will activate many people who are not yet aware of the danger we face. Gecebay also supported this song with his saz and voice. Tarkan and Gecebay told why and how they got active for nature supporting Doga Dernegi.
Doga Dernegi: First of all how and when did the idea of producing a song for nature came up?
Tarkan: The nature itself asked me to make a song and it gave the inspiration. I oly have become the interpreter of its language. My wish is that the humanity listens to his/her real inner voice and that they do something hand by hand with eachother for the nature, in another saying, for themselves.
DD: “Uyan” is like a global message that sprung out of Anatolia with it’s lyrics and music. What kind of an impact do you think it will have on people?
Tarkan: The people who will listen to this song will hurt a bit inside. “Uyan” aims at people to become aware of the troubles of the nature and will support them to live consciously. This song is very special to me because I composed it for the “nature”.
DD: You say we can solve the problems if we unite. Do you really believe that we can do this?
Tarkan: We can at least bandage up the wounds we caused by trying to do the best we can; we can refresh our hope and protect our conscious. The nature can find a way out for itself anyways; indeed it does not need us…it knows to heal and recreate itself, too. We prepare our won end by destroying it. That’s why “Uyan!” That’s why we need “awakening”, we need awareness.
DD: How do you think the solution can be? what is the way out?
Gencebay: The first solution is not to leave any technological development to progress, which leads to destruction. Then we can help the nature trying to repair its balance on its own by doing whatever it needs.
DD: How did you meet with Doga Dernegi?
Tarkan: well if you ask this question to my heart, it will tell you that everything has to be as it is meant to be and this merge (with Doga Dernegi) is determined by our destinies.
Gencebay: NGOs such as Doga Dernegi, which has dedicated itself to nature, I believe, will play a key role for the solution of this problem. I will always support the institutions and people serving in this field.
DD: I suppose you also think that especially legal mechanisms do not sufficiently value our history and natural richness such as Tuz Lake, Hasankeyf and Allianoi?
Tarkan: I certainly believe so and I want them to put their hands on their hearts and listen to my song often. I very much believe that our conscious fed by the stones and soil of Anatolia will step in at the best time and place.
DD: The corruption in the nature started to change us gradually. Are there such changes in your life?
Tarkan: I have always lived as part of the nature and I still do. I use organic products as much as I can. I try to learn how to settle for the little of everything as nature does. Maybe- most importantly – I try to seem as who I am and be as I seem.
Gencebay: I use the water very carefully, because I know water is life. In the very near future, living in luxury and comfort aside, to be able to live itself will become luxurious for people.
DD: What is in your road map concerning nature?
Gencebay: To talk about these subjects constantly, to use and share the natural values, to continuously warn those who want to destroy the natural balance, to try to stop them.
Tarkan: I would go anywhere it calls me. I am ready to do whatever it wants me to do. I will be at wherever the nature is. I mean I will continue to struggle for it….
