Zülfü Livaneli clarifies song usage suggestions for YENİ Parti

Musician Zülfü Livaneli has addressed recent claims that he banned his song ‘Yiğidim Aslanım’ from being played at YENİ Parti rallies and events. Livaneli clarified that he did not issue a ban, but rather made a suggestion to YENİ Parti leader Özgür Özel.

Livaneli explained that ‘Yiğidim Aslanım’ is a lament (ağıt) dedicated to figures such as Nâzım Hikmet, Deniz Gezmiş, and Uğur Mumcu. He suggested that more upbeat songs, such as ‘Ey Özgürlük’ or ‘Merhaba’, might be more appropriate for the energy of political rallies. He criticized the tendency to turn the situation into a matter of political polarization, stating that the party is free to play the song if they wish.

Additionally, the 80-year-old artist dismissed rumors regarding a potential presidential candidacy as ‘nonsense’, stating that his only desire is to live in peace and continue writing his books and composing music.