Today a Rockstar Saved a Town

Erkud,Tarkan &Güven in Berlin in May 2009 - Fighting the Ilisu Dam in Turkey

Today in Berlin, its all about Tarkan and Merkel. Tarkan, the biggest Turkish popstar is in town, and he is the talk of town. He is here to convince the German government to withdraw support from the controversial Ilisu Dam, which the Turkish government plans to build on the Tigris River in the Southeast of the country, with the help of German, Swiss and Austrian money. The Berliner Zeitung, one of the biggest German dailys, today spread the rumour that Tarkan was to meet with German chancelor Merkel to convince her to withdraw support for the project.

Since then, it's all: Is he, or is he not? My colleagues from the European Ilisu campaign just showed me the Berliner Zeitung article and laughed about it, as if it was clear that Tarkan was not going to meet with Merkel. But is it that clear? Just some weeks ago, Tarkan met with the Turkish minister for cultural affairs to discuss the controversial dam in Southeast Turkey that would destroy the livelihoods of more than 60,000 people. And people told me that the meeting took more than two hours because Tarkan had so much to say against the dam and the minister was ready to listen.

Ann-Kathrin, Tarkan & Güven in Berlin in May 2009 at the Ilisu Summit

Here in Germany, especially in Berlin, Tarkan is THE role model for the large population of Germans with Turkish roots. Born in Germany, Tarkan became famous when he moved back to Turkey and now writes and sings songs such as the popular "Wake Up" where he challenges his fans to take responsibility for the planet. But today in Berlin, he is not singing, he is talking. He campaigned against the Ilisu Dam and for the protection of the ancient city of Hasankeyf which would be flooded by the dam on Berlin's biggest radio show this morning, had a long interview in the country's most influential online magazine - Spiegel - three days back, and will give a keynote speech at a panel discussion on Ilisu this evening in Berlin. Maybe at the panel discussion tonight, he will also disclose whether he met Merkel or not.

And the bigger question, of course, is whether he, or anyone else, can convince her that Germany should safeguard the future of the Tigris River, instead of support its destruction with the Ilisu Dam.