Satanic rituals lead Turkey to cancel Anyma concert planned for Sept. 12

Italian-Argentine electronic musician Anyma was scheduled to perform in Turkey’s Istanbul on September 12. However, Turkish authorities have canceled the event, Turkish media outlets announced Thursday.

Authorities decided to ban the concert by Anyma because the stage visuals used in his live show were linked to satanic rituals and pagan imagery, triggering a wave of online criticism.

The Istanbul Governorate issued a formal decision blocking the event, which was expected to take place at Atakoy Marina Arena, according to Turkey Today.

The Istanbul concert was part of Anyma’s newly announced world tour.

The controversy surrounds Anyma’s futuristic stage design, which includes digital animations and robotic figures that were dubbed as pro-satan moves.

Despite no clarification from authorities in Turkey, netizens said it could be banned over the animations displayed during the show, which resemble satanic symbols and ritualistic imagery.

In addition, Anyma’s concert ban is not the only one that was canceled by Turkey this year. In February, the Besiktas District Governorate stopped scheduled performances by the Russian band Slaughter to Prevail and the Polish band Behemoth at Zorlu Performing Arts Center, amid concerns that they violate the country’s “social values”.