Atakan Gürkan
I’LL BE RETIRING FROM THE HARBOUR SOON!
If you often visit Kyrenia Harbour, you must have heard the exuberant sounds coming from Harbour. On today’s page, you’ll find our interview with the source of those exuberant sounds! Without further ado, let’s move on to the answers to our questions from Atakan Gürkan, who made some very special remarks and performs at Harbour every Friday evening…
Atakan, how many years have you been performing in the TRNC?
I’ve been on the island for five years, and I started performing on my second day here. I guess I was discovered pretty quickly! I first started performing at Boaters Cafe, and a month later at Cafe Harbour, the apple of Kyrenia Harbour’s eye. In 2005, I performed for a summer season at Rocks Hotel with a repertoire made up entirely of English songs. In the meantime, I also had special programmes at many hotels and bars. We previously featured you on this page as “Harbour’s Ata.” So we know you from Harbour, but do you perform anywhere else besides Harbour? Yes, I read that article, and I’d like to thank the HALKIN SESİ Magazine Desk again for always supporting me. To answer your question: I’ve been at Cafe Harbour every Friday night during the winter season since New Year’s Eve 2004. Besides that, I also perform every Wednesday night at Colors Fashion, one of Kyrenia’s finest venues. I’ve been performing at the harbour for years, and, as you said, I guess I’ll soon be retiring from the harbour as “Harbour’s Ata”… You’re very involved in music. Do you write your own music and lyrics? I used to compose many songs when I was in Turkey, but since I came here—that is, for the past five years—I’ve composed very few. If anyone would like to listen to a few of them, they can find my work at http://www.soonga.com/ata.
So, why have you taken a break from composing and writing lyrics?
Songs are writings in which people bring their feelings and experiences together through notes. I suppose there hasn’t been anyone whose feelings I’ve felt intensely, and that may be why.
These feelings are undoubtedly vital for creative people. I suppose you’re having problems in your love life?
I haven’t been in love for a long time. I really miss being in love. I guess I’m a bit of an attention seeker! I’m a romantic person, and I’ve been hurt a lot too, so I think I’m a little afraid. My biggest wish is to experience a love that will send me roaming the roads and knock me from one place to another. I can’t get involved in a temporary, rented love; I can’t live a lie. I don’t like trial and error. I’m one of those who believe in love at first sight.
What are your expectations and plans for the future?
I don’t live my life according to a strict plan, but of course I have expectations. As someone who is in love with music, I’d like to share higher-quality music with wider audiences and give voice to their feelings. I want to make an album when I go to Turkey. What would you like to say to the listeners who come to hear you?
Art is a subjective concept; everyone has a different understanding of art, so its definition changes from person to person… I think we share something with everyone who enjoys the music we make, has fun with us, and feels sad with us. If I didn’t have my listeners, if I couldn’t hear their applause, what good would all those songs I sing be? I’m glad you’re here…
Atakan, thank you for making time for us, and I wish you success in your artistic career…
I should be the one thanking you and the HALKIN SESİ Magazine Desk for always supporting people like us who are trying to pursue our profession. I’m glad you’re here too…