Turkey: Condolences extended to family of late actress

By Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish officials have extended condolences to the family members of Yildiz Kenter, a veteran Turkish actress who died in Istanbul at the age of 91 on Sunday.

Kenter had been under intensive care at Istanbul's American Hospital for lung disease.

“I wish God's mercy to our esteemed theater artist Yildiz Kenter, and extend my condolences to her family, loved ones and the art community,” said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a Twitter post.

Erdogan also called Kenter’s daughter Leyla and extended condolences to her.

Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop also shared his grief over the death of the veteran actress and offered his condolences to family, friends and students of Kenter.

“I was deeply saddened by the death of the master of Turkish theater, Kenter,” said main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu in a Twitter post.

Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy also paid tributes to Kenter. “Goodbye, great master. We will not forget you [...]” said Ersoy on Twitter.

“I wish God’s mercy to the great master of our theatre, Yildiz Kenter,” said Mehmet Kasapoglu, youth and sports minister on Twitter and offered his condolences to Kenter family and art community.

Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan also expressed sorrow over the demise of Kenter.

“I offer my condolences to the family and those who had the chance of watching her on stage and screen,” said Pekcan.

Zehra Zumrut Selcuk -- labor, social services and family minister -- said: “I sadly learned about the death of Yildiz Kenter, one of the masters of our theater.”

Devlet Bahceli, leader of opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), also paid tribute to Kenter and offered his condolences to her family.

The funeral service for Kenter will be held on Tuesday at Kenter Theater she founded with her husband and brother.

After eulogies and funeral prayer, Kenter will be laid to rest at Asiyan Cemetery in Istanbul.