Tuncer Cücenoğlu
Tuncer Cücenoğlu (10 April 1944, Çorum – 18 July 2019, Istanbul) was one of the most widely translated and internationally staged playwrights in Turkish theatre.
Education and Career
After attending Çorum High School, he graduated in 1972 from the Department of Library Science at Ankara University’s Faculty of Languages, History and Geography. He held various posts within the Ministry of National Education, and left civil service in 1980 while serving as deputy director of the Istanbul Ministry of Education Printing House. He later served as director of culture for the Bakırköy Municipality. From 1992 until his death, he was a member of the Literary Board of the State Theatres General Directorate, and taught dramatic playwriting at institutions including the MSM Private Conservatory, Near East University in Cyprus, and Kadir Has University. He was a member of the Turkish Writers’ Union and the International PEN Turkey Centre, and wrote columns for newspapers including Cumhuriyet and Birgün.
Plays and International Recognition
His first play, Kördöğüşü (1972), was staged by the Üsküdar Players (Üsküdar Oyuncuları). His play Öğretmen (The Teacher), which began being staged by the State Theatres in 1973, was banned owing to the political conditions of the time. According to the Dictionary of Turkish Literary Names (TEİS), he wrote a total of 26 plays, including Kördöğüşü, Öğretmen, Kadıncıklar, Dosya, Çıkmaz Sokak, Şapka, Ziyaretçi, Biga-1920, Yıldırım Kemal, Helikopter, Matruşka, Boyacı, Kadın Sığınağı, Fosforlunun Hikâyesi, Yeşil Gece, Kumarbazlar, Çığ, Kızılırmak, Mustafam Kemalim, Sabahattin Ali, Sabahattin Ali’yi Kim Öldürdü, Gece Kulübü and Neyzen. His plays were translated into numerous languages and staged in dozens of countries across Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Awards
According to TEİS’s selected-awards list, he received many national and international awards over his career, including the 1972 Golden Hazelnut (Altın Fındık) Best Author Award, the 1973 Ankara Art Institution Award of Merit, the 1981 Abdi İpekçi Playwriting Competition Award, the 1984 TOBAV Award, the 1996 Lions Best Author Award, and the 2011 Afife Jale Awards’ Cevat Fehmi Başkut Special Award.
Death and His Legacy in Çorum
Tuncer Cücenoğlu died in Istanbul on the morning of 18 July 2019, at the age of 75, and was buried at Zincirlikuyu Cemetery. Following a decision by the Literary Board of the State Theatres General Directorate, the Çorum State Theatre stage was named the “State Theatres Çorum Tuncer Cücenoğlu Stage,” keeping the playwright’s name alive in his hometown.
For other notable figures from Çorum, see the History and People topic page.
Sources
- Dictionary of Turkish Literary Names (TEİS) — Tuncer Cücenoğlu
- Turkish Wikipedia — Tuncer Cücenoğlu
- Anadolu Agency (AA) — A Life Dedicated to Theatre: Tuncer Cücenoğlu
- Anadolu Agency (AA) — 50 Years Dedicated to Theatre: Tuncer Cücenoğlu
- Hürriyet — A Sad Day for Theatre: Tuncer Cücenoğlu Has Died
- Biyografya.com — Tuncer Cücenoğlu
- Kültür Sanat TV — The Çorum State Theatre Is Now Named the “Tuncer Cücenoğlu Stage”
- Çorum Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism — Notable Figures Raised by the City
Frequently asked questions
Who was Tuncer Cücenoğlu?
Born in Çorum on 10 April 1944 and died in Istanbul on 18 July 2019, Tuncer Cücenoğlu was a Turkish playwright who wrote 26 plays, many of them translated into numerous languages and staged in dozens of countries.
When and where did Tuncer Cücenoğlu die?
He died in Istanbul on 18 July 2019, at the age of 75.
What was his connection to Çorum?
He was born in Çorum and attended Çorum High School. After his death, the State Theatres General Directorate named the Çorum State Theatre stage after him.
What are his best-known plays?
According to the Dictionary of Turkish Literary Names (TEİS), his notable plays include Kördöğüşü, Öğretmen (The Teacher), Kadıncıklar, Dosya (The File), Çıkmaz Sokak (Dead End), Biga-1920, Helikopter, and Sabahattin Ali.