Karagöz (Shadow Show), puppetry, Orta Oyunu, meddahlık (praise-giving), village performances are the genres of traditional Turkish theatre. Each one of these genres has specific performance techniques, acting understanding, stage, decor and costume features. These are important sources for the contemporary theatre with a different understanding of acting, staging technique and presentation. Making use of this source lies in knowing it very well. The traditional Turkish theatre having fulfilled an important function in educating and entertaining the society for centuries, lost its importance since it could not keep in pace with technology and renew itself. The village performances lost their religious and magical aspects after people get to know more about the mysteries of the nature. The one's played with entertaining purposes lost their efficiency again due to the impacts of communicative tools. It became even more important to make people know about the Turkish theatre in scientific terms especially in a period when the shadow and puppet theatres gain importance, and simplicity is adopted in the understanding of acting, decor, make-up and costumes. It is only Karagöz that is known abroad as the traditional Turkish theatre. However, the other theatre genres I have mentioned above are as important as Karagöz. In this book, you'll find the opportunity to learn not only about our traditional theatre genres, but also about the creativity of the Turkish society in art works. I hereby would like to thank everyone who has contributed in the preparation of the book. M. İstemihan TALAY Minister of Culture

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