Plan to turn legendary Istanbul train station into arts centre prompts backlash

FRANCE 24 English

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00:01Overlooking the Bosphorus, this majestic neoclassical building

00:06once saw travellers from all over Anatolia pass through its doors.

00:11Ayda Pasha Station, one of Turkey's oldest and most historic buildings,

00:16witnessed many significant historical events, including the rural exodus to Istanbul,

00:22which remains a vivid memory for many.

00:25It occupies a very important place in the personal memories of individuals who experienced this migration.

00:32We see reflections of this in literature, art and cinema.

00:35But since 2013, its tracks have fallen silent.

00:39Following a devastating fire in 2010, the station closed to all rail traffic.

00:45Numerous rehabilitation projects were proposed over the years,

00:49but the latest plan, to transform it into an art centre, has sparked widespread opposition.

00:56For years, protesters have gathered every Sunday, demanding the station's return to its original function,

01:02a promise made by the Minister of Culture in 2024.

01:06This is a station. This place has been a station since 1908. There's nothing else to do here.

01:13Following its 2013 closure, excavations on Ayda Pasha Station's grounds revealed elements dating back to the 5th century BC.

01:22As work on the Future Cultural and Arts Centre is set to finish in 2026,

01:27locals continue to fight for the preservation of this jewel of Turkish culture and history.

01:33Thank you very much.

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