A leader in support of ballet in Turkey
The foundations of ballet in Turkey were laid during the presidency of İsmet İnönü. The first ballet school Ninette de Valois opened in İstanbul on 6 January 1948 was transformed into a department of the State Conservatory after two years of its establishment. Yet, the first ballet recital was held a decade later, in 1961. İsmet İnönü assumed his seat in the front row when, on 28 January 1961, Coppélia choreographed to the music of Léo Delibes was staged for the first time in Turkey.
Never missing a single concert or play, İsmet İnönü had made it his mission to encourage state officials and fellow partisans to attend such performances. He was known to occasionally schedule appointments at concert halls to challenge others. Due to his passion for classical music, he had even begun to take cello lessons at the age of 50.
To celebrate İnönü’s lifelong commitment to and passion for the arts, The Presidential Symphony Orchestra continues to hold an annual memorial concert around the anniversary of his death.
Life of the first Prime Minister and the second President of the Republic of Turkey.
Photographs of Atatürk and İsmet İnönü, various memories from İnönü’s life, and photographs of İnönü Foundation activities from the İnönü Foundation archive.
While assuming “the most important woman” role before the society until 1938 as the wife of Prime Minister and between 1938 and 1950 as the wife of President, ensuing years Mevhibe İnönü won the Turkish public’s affection with her good heart, grace and modest character.
You can access and read Akis magazine, the first of the weekly news-politics magazines in the Turkish press, which was published weekly under the management of Metin Toker.
You can see the books and booklets published with the contribution or research assistance of the İnönü Foundation in this section.
You can view our calendar, which reminds us day by day of the events related to İsmet İnönü and his period, the work done during the foundation period of our Republic, and the events that the founders of our Republic considered important.
