Atatürk Cultural Center

Atatürk Cultural Center ( _tr. Atatürk Kültür Merkezi), called also simply as "AKM", is a multi-purpose cultural center located in Taksim Square of Istanbul, Turkey.

The complex

The complex comprises the "Grand Stage", a hall with a 1,307 seat capacity hosting theater acts of Turkish State Theatres and performances of the Turkish State Opera and Ballet, and the "Concert Hall", a second hall with a capacity of 502 seats for concerts, meetings and conferences as well as an exhibition hall of 1,200 m² at the entrance. There are also the "Chamber Theatre" with 296 seats, "Aziz Nesin Stage" with 190 seats and a cinema hall with 206 seats.

The center is home to the
*Istanbul State Symphony Orchestra and Choir ("İstanbul Devlet Senfoni Orkestrası ve Korosu"),
*Istanbul State Modern Folk Music Ensemble ("İstanbul Devlet Modern Halk Müziği Topluluğu") and
*Istanbul State Classical Turkish Music Choir ("İstanbul Devlet Klasik Türk Müziği Korosu").

During the summer and Informationmonths, AKM hosts the Istanbul Arts and Culture Festival.

The complex is a rebuilding of the former AKM, which was burnt down in a fire on November 27, 1970 during a performance.

ee also

*List of concert halls

References

* [http://www.mymerhaba.com/en/main/content.asp_Q_id_E_356 MyMerhaba]
* [http://www.byegm.gov.tr/yayinlarimiz/yuzyil/1970-1979.htm Governmental Press and Information Office]
* [http://www.iec-tr.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=29&Itemid=61&lang=en Istanbul European Choir website]