Istanbul opens monument tomb for Turkish theater legend Genco Erkal

Turkish theater icon Genco Erkal, who died on 31 July 2024 at age 86, was commemorated on the second anniversary of his death with the opening of an monument tomb at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery in Istanbul. The ceremony, organized by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s Culture and Heritage departments, was attended by Erkal’s family, fellow artists and municipal officials. Architect Tuncay Çavdar, who designed the tomb, and architect Özcan Arca, a longtime collaborator of Erkal, spoke about the project’s significance. IBB Deputy General Secretary Mahir Polat highlighted Erkal’s role in merging theatre with social consciousness.

Erkal founded Dostlar Theatre in 1969, introducing works by Brecht, Nazım Hikmet and others to Turkish stages. He also appeared in acclaimed films such as “At” (1982)” and “Faize Hücum (1983),” winning Best Actor awards at the Antalya Film Festival. The monument tomb aims to preserve his legacy for future generations.