Turkish municipality removes bust of Atatürk over public criticism

The municipality of Turkey's Aegean province of Çanakkale has removed the bust of Atatürk after it drew criticism from the public for its lack of likeness.

Monday October 09 2023 04:46 pm

Duvar English

Turkey’s Aegean Çanakkale Municipality removed the 180-cm fiberglass bust of Turkey’s founding father Mustafa Kemal Atatürk placed in the Çanakkale Heroes’ Park after it drew public criticism for "not looking like Atatürk."

The municipality, run by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), removed the bust for revisions, Demirören News Agency reported on Oct. 9.

Sculptor Ethem Muhtaroğlu stated that people who did not like the bust filed complaints and the reaction grew as “a local journalist shared it on social media without double checking.”

The sculptor said that the bust is still incomplete and added “The public started criticizing the bust because of a poorly taken photograph.” The Çanakkale Municipality stated that the bust was taken in for revisions after criticisms.

Kamuoyu Bilgilendirme…

Çanakkale Kahramanları Parkı'nda bulunan Atatürk Heykeli;
eleştiriler üzerine sanatçı tarafından yeniden gözden geçirilmek üzere alınmıştır.

Kamuoyunun bilgisine sunarız. pic.twitter.com/SqkQqA73PR
— Çanakkale Belediyesi (@ckalebelediye) October 8, 2023

The bust was a part of installations planned in the Çanakkale Heroes’ Park that depicts significant military, literary, and political figures that played a role in the establishment of the republic. The municipality opened the park on Aug. 13.