Civil engineers’ warning for Aspendos Theater

ANTALYA – Doğan News Agency

DHA Photos

The ancient theater of Aspendos, which was closed to art events in 2008 to prevent damage, was recently reopened after a restoration process. 

The theater will host the award ceremony of the 52nd Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival in October, with 110-decibel sound system amplifiers being placed in the theater. However, Antalya Branch Chairman of the Civil Engineers Chamber Cem Oğuz has said that a 115-decibel sound system would create an earthquake effect and cause cracks, adding “Events here should not be more than 80-90 decibels.” 

Following the decision of the Directorate of Surveying and Monuments in 2007 to limit the number of visitors and start an urgent restoration process, the Aspendos Theater was closed to events except the Culture and Tourism Ministry’s organizations. It has been reopened for art events and gala dinners. 

Last year the theater underwent a four-month restoration process. The Central Directorate of Circulating Capital (DÖSİMM) determined the daily hire of the ancient theater as 70,000 Turkish Liras. 

“It is nice that Aspendos will host art events but we should remember that we must protect these structures. Even though it underwent restoration, 115 decibels is a critical level for Aspendos. [Sound in the theater] should not be above 80-90 decibels,” Oğuz said. 

He said the city’s newly established stadium could also be used for the opening and closing event of the film festival. Stating that the tie between the city’s residents and the festival was questioned every festival time, Oğuz said, “The new stadium has a capacity of 33,000 people. With the participation of 60,000 people, these [award] nights can be organized there.”


Busy in September and October

The ancient theater will host the 22nd Aspendos Opera and Ballet Festival between Sept. 5 and 24. Then, the 16th International Piano Festival, along with the award nights of the 52nd Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, will be held in the theater. 

Mithat Yolcu from the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Cultural Affairs said that permission had been given for the organizations by the Culture and Tourism Ministry, adding that four events were scheduled for the theater in September and October. 

This year, within the scope of the International Piano Festival that will continue until Oct. 19, the Mediterranean Philharmonic Orchestra, Abdullah İbrahım Septet, Gulsin Onay, Natalia Gutman, Cem Babacan and Başar Can Kıvrak, Salem Ashkar, Sir Neville Marriner, Andre Previn and Gürer Aykal will take the stage. 

For the Golden Orange Film Festival Oct. 8-24, a sound system for at least 5,000 people will be set up in the ancient theater. 

The agreed upon decibel limit for the event is 110. It is also requires a 30-meter wide and 30-meter long stage, weighing 4 tons. 

Oğuz said that a 120-decibel sound would cause ringing peoples’ ears. He said Middle East Technical University’s professor Ahmet Türer’s research suggested that 115-decibel sounds would cause vertical cracks in the theater. 

“It is nice that Aspendos will host art events but we should remember that we must protect these structures. Even though it underwent restoration, 115 decibels is a critical level for Aspendos. [Sound in the theater] should not be above 80-90 decibels,” Oğuz said. 

He said the city’s newly established stadium could also be used for the opening and closing event of the film festival. Stating that the tie between the city’s residents and the festival was questioned every festival time, Oğuz said, “The new stadium has a capacity of 33,000 people. With the participation of 60,000 people, these [award] nights can be organized there.”