THE ROLE OF ANATOLIAN-ORIGINATED STAGE NARRATIVES IN CULTURAL MEMORY

Abstract

Turkish theatre, which began with traditional folk narratives, has evolved into
a rich cultural heritage shaped by Western influence during the Tanzimat era. Genres like
Karagöz, meddah, and ortaoyunu were deeply connected to the people, while modern theatre
understanding developed through Westernization. Theatre addressing social issues took on both
educational and thought-provoking roles within the framework of historical transformation. This
article examines the core issues addressed in the transition from traditional to contemporary
theatre. It evaluates how social, political, cultural, and individual problems are conveyed through
theatre, based on key authors and works. Additionally, the interaction between theatre and society
is analyzed in the context of the transformative power of art.