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Has Fire of Anatolia lived up to your dreams?
Yes, it is a world-class company that represents Turkey. And it will only get better.
What has the show done for Turkey?
First of all, we created a brand new concept and we unearthed a huge audience for dance. And we have the honour of promoting Turkey and its culture abroad.
Did you expect it to be such a hit abroad?
Yes, I did, but I wasn't sure if it would be as successful here in Turkey as folk dancing, wasn't considered an art-until now.
Do you think it is possible to reflect Anatolian culture while interpreting folk dances?
60% of the choreography consists of authentic folk dances. We have five stages and the company performs 120 different folk dances following to my personal interpretation.
Were you inspired by a similar performance or did you come up with the idea yourself?
I was inspired by Moisiev, who has been performing modern interpretations of Russian folk ballets and folk dances since 1945, as well as by Broadway and Riverdance.
You were a folk dancer for many years. Do you prefer the theoretical side now?
I would love to do both, but I cannot dance and direct the performance at the same time.
How has the show been received abroad?
The show gets a positive reception everywhere we go. However, there are some differences in the way people show their appreciation. European audiences are the most likely to clap during the performance. The Black Sea segment is the most popular.
What are your future projects?
This project will continue for another 10 years. We will probably establish ongoing productions in the US and the UK. Fire of Anatolia is the name of our dance company. We will create new shows such as Fire of Anatolia Troy, Fire of Anatolia Istanbul and Fire of Anatolia Turkey. Each of these will last 5-6 years. We also want to do a musical. www.anadoluatesi.com
