Family of Barış Manço hopes to regain Turkish pop star's house
Monday, June 28, 2010

VERCİHAN ZİFLİOĞLU

ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

Although he was a beloved Turkish rock music icon, a state artist and the recipient of foreign honors, Barış Manço's house was repossessed following his death, allegedly for unpaid debts. The artist's son Doğukan Manço says the state has not protected the memory of his father. 'We need support to protect my father's memory and to get this house back'

Despite being the family of a rock musician loved by Turks from all generations and all walks of life, the sons of the legendary Barış Manço were evicted from their home soon after the singer’s death over a decade ago. Now, however, one of the artist’s sons hopes to repurchase the house within the next five years.

Manço, who held the title of state artist and was also awarded honors by France and Belgium, died in 1999. After his death, his house and personal belongings were confiscated. Remembering those days with a deep sorrow, Manço’s elder son, musician Doğukan Manço, spoke about the events after his father’s death.

Answering questions in his father’s private room, the “Chivalry Room,” Manço, 29, said he would try to find a way to buy the house within five years and do his best to preserve the house his father loved so much.

“We need support so that our family can own the house again,” he said.

Along with his 123-year-old house and personal belongings, Barış Manço’s copyrights were also confiscated.

“The debt was not my father’s. He was the guarantor of one of his friends but he did not pay his debts and everything we have was seized. The state did not protect us,” the son said. “I saved the guitar, on which my father composed his last work, by throwing it into the garden. We were dismissed from this house in tears. My family was offended and I was 17 at that time.”

The house, in which the singer lived most of his life, became property of the state-owned Halkbank after it was repossessed. Kadıköy Municipality later rented the house and converted it into a museum.

‘This house was my castle’

Noting that the house had remained closed for five years, Manço said it caused him great pain.

“I grew up in this house, I played with my friends in its garden, it was a castle to me. Later, they suddenly took my castle from me after my father died,” he said. “Even though I was not able to come to the house for five years, I cried in front of this door everyday.”

Speaking about his feelings when he entered the house for the first time after the municipality converted it into a museum, Manço said: “I found myself in the stairs of the house just like in my childhood. I climbed up the stairs and understood that my body grew up but my soul remained hidden in this building like a child who doesn’t want to go outside.”

Manço said he spent most of his time in the mansion, and that he would still be there if the building had not become a museum.

“Sometimes I forget that this house is a museum and take shelter here. It is very hard to share this house with others but it was my father’s biggest wish,” he said. “Still I am not strong enough to enter my father’s bedroom on the middle floor. It gives me pain.”

Style icon Barış Manço

Barış Manço found a place in the hearts of many Turks, and was known for his eccentric fashion sense as much as his music. He is remembered for his big rings, the clothing he designed himself, long hair, moustache and beard.

Manço said he and his brother had bought some of their father’s costumes and accessories after they were repossessed.

“We are thinking of putting these belongings in the museum but it is very hard for us. I hope you understand my feelings. While sharing these things with his fans, I feel like I am abandoning private things between my father and me, one by one,” Manço said.

Nonetheless, the brothers had put some things in the museum on display, said Manço, adding that he had overcome a big inner struggle before doing so.

When asked if it was difficult to be the child of a famous father, he said: “It is an honor to be Barış’ son. I have never been overwhelmed by my father’s name. I have never seen him as a rival – he was my role model. I am only jealous of sharing him, I wanted him to be mine only.”

Manço said he and his brother had compiled a number of their father’s previously unreleased songs and added that they would soon share these tracks with fans.

“His body died but my father is still alive,” he said. “When I am very angry or tense, his songs show the way to me. I must admit that my longing for him grows every other day.”

The museum displays Manço’s personal belongings, costumes, accessories and awards, while the entrance fee is