Trabzon Sanatevi faces eviction amid cultural preservation disputes

Tensions are rising in Trabzon over the planned eviction of the Trabzon Sanatevi, a long-standing cultural hub. Mehmet Kuvvet, President of the Sanatevi, announced that authorities plan to collect the building's keys on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM.

Kuvvet has criticized the decision, which is based on the grounds of “public interest” cited by the Governor's Office. He argues that the Sanatevi's history of hosting numerous national and international cultural and artistic events should itself be considered a matter of public interest. He further noted that the building's ownership belongs to the Trabzon Governor's Office and that the eviction follows evaluations related to contracts and Court of Accounts reports.

Kuvvet emphasized that the Sanatevi represents approximately 150 years of artistic heritage in the region and serves as a non-political gathering point for various art associations. He has called for the withdrawal of the eviction order, warning that the loss of the facility would negatively impact the city's cultural and artistic life.