What is 50th Anniversary of the Republic Sculptures?
[[File:Zerrin_Bolukbasi_Harbiye_Heykel.jpg|right|thumb| The sculpture named ''Figür'' by the sculptor Zerrin Bölükbaşı]] The '''50th Anniversary of the Republic Sculptures''' are 20 sculptures that were made for [[Istanbul]]. They were made by Turkish [[Sculpture|sculptors]] as a celebration of the 50th [[anniversary]] of the [[Turkey|Turkish Republic]]. The sculptures were put in different parks and squares in [[Istanbul]] around the year 1973. Many of them were damaged, destroyed, lost, or moved. Only some of them are still there. It was not easy for Turkish sculptors to show their work in public spaces between 1950 and 1960. There were not many types of sculptures (other than [[monument]]s) in Turkey until 1973.{{Sfn|Ece|2011}} In May 1972, a [[committee]] in charge of celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Turkish Republic held a meeting at the headquarters of the Governor of Istanbul. They wanted to have 50 sculptures made to celebrate the anniversary. But, because they didn't have enough money, they reduced it to 20. The committee chose 20 artists to make these sculptures. On 13 September 1973, the committee approved [[sketch]]es and photographs sent by the 20 artists. This was an important event in the history of Turkish sculpture. For the first time, sculptors were able to create sculptures that were not monuments for public spaces. This supported the idea of modern sculpture in Turkey. The results of the project were 20 sculptures put up in public spaces in Istanbul. These sculptures were made by well-known sculptors, and were in their original style.{{Sfn|Ece|2011}} Many of the sculptures were lost, damaged or removed. Some of them were damaged only a few days after they were put in their place. ''Güzel İstanbul'' by Gürdal Duyar was thought by some traditional [[conservative]] people to be inappropriate. It was removed from Karaköy Square and eventually taken to Yıldız Park. ''İşçi'' by [[Muzaffer Ertoran]] was attacked. No one knows what happened to ''Mimar Sinan'' by Nusret Suman''.'' ''İkimiz'' b