Stray dogs and cats are one of the symbols of Turkish cities since centuries. Although there were attempts to get rid of them as a part of modernisation, stray animals received an untouchable status in time, until the very recent change in the law. Animal rights activists opposed the bill in the parliament during the summer which proposed rounding up stray dogs, posting them for adoption, and euthanizing them after 30 days. The law passed in the parliament despite the vibrant mobilisation on the streets. Municipalities that are governed by the opposition parties declared that they will not enforce the new legislation.
We will screen the movies “Chienne d’Histoire” and “Histoire de Chiens” of Armenian-French director Serge Avedikian on stray dogs in Istanbul, which also link the Armenian Genocide to the 30.000 dogs cleansed from the streets of Constantinople in 1910. After the movie screenings, we would like to discuss the historical and modern context of violence against animals and the environment in Turkey with historian Orhun Yalçın.
The event will be held in English language. We are delighted to invite you to join the screening and the discussion.
When/Where: 30 August, 2024, 19:00 at Akebi e.V., Böckhstraße 24, 10967 Berlin
