asliersuzer.

a music+theater project of OPERA NOW!

 

Composer Emre Dündar

Librettist Ceren Ercan

Director Lea Theus

Dramaturg Frieda Lang

Concept and Stage Designer Asli Ersuzer

Light Designer Cem Yılmazer

with

Ensemble KNM and Borusan Orchester

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-Premiere in 2026 in Berlin + Istanbul-

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Political and social situations in recent years has kept many young Turks preoccupied with the idea of emigrating from their country. Germany became a destination for young secular Turks from Turkey. Berlin emerged as an important destination for this migration and the young Turks who stayed here became known as the "New Wave".
"Berlin Zamani" is a contemporary opera, inspired by these migrations and focuses on the stories of three different characters who migrate to Berlin following political and social events in Turkey. It shows that Germany's immigration policy raises the hopes of Turkish youth and they decide to leave Turkey with the idea that it will offer them a new future. However, migrating to Berlin brings privileges but also prejudice and discrimination.

The play follows three characters stuck between Istanbul and Berlin. These characters are three different souls who have similar experiences in both cities and somehow touch each other's lives. Writer Ceren Ercan focuses on the lives of young people in Turkey by tracing the characters as those who want to leave, those who leave and those who stay.

Among the characters in the play, Eren is a citizen of the world with a dream to emigrate to Berlin, where he lives as a homeless street musician while following the trail of his grandfather. Deniz is a character who has studied acting and comes to Berlin to attend a language course. Fleeing from the conservative oppression in Turkey, Deniz faces difficulties under the gaze of the older generation of Turkish descendants in Berlin. Özge is a character who is preparing to end her life in Istanbul. As she goes through different stages in her life, she confronts the difficulties that Istanbul brings to women.
The play focuses on the lives of young people in Turkey, exploring themes such as migration, belonging, prejudice, and discrimination. The play reveals the fact that Turkish youth try to pursue their dreams and hopes in the face of difficulties in their home country.