This area is described as a “marginal geography,” located at the intersection of Balıkesir-Çanakkale, Greece (Lesbos)-Türkiye, and the Ege-Marmara regions. It serves as a “cultural point” where different cultural groups, including Tahtacı Türkmen’s, Yörük’s, Romani’s, Manav’s, immigrants, refugees, and secondary homeowners, come together.
The project emphasises participation and ecological sensitivity. It aims to foster a sense of belonging among residents by strengthening their access to culture. Activities will align with the natural calendar and include events such as the Nardugan and Hıdırellez festivals, olive harvest celebrations, and seasonal equinoxes.
The project involves re-functionalising underutilised or dysfunctional public spaces, enhancing cultural literacy, and establishing Küçükkuyu as a “cultural city” along the İzmir, Balıkesir, Lesbos, Çanakkale, and Istanbul axis through a cultural policy developed in collaboration with the Küçükkuyu Municipality.
Public events such as exhibitions, discussions, storytelling, nature-based sound design, concerts, and performances will enhance local community participation in culture while showcasing the region’s gastronomy and ecological riches beyond the town.
“Hikayeler Haritası” platform will be enhanced to systematically archive the intangible cultural heritage values of Küçükkuyu, increasing their visibility. This platform will provide information about Küçükkuyu’s traditional celebrations, local seed stories, and cultural events, showcasing the region’s cultural heritage to a broader audience in a digital format.
The project aims to highlight the values of Küçükkuyu through events and celebrations that take place throughout the seasonal cycle, from 21 December to 23 September. It seeks to promote economic sustainability by enhancing urban vitality for at least six months. The Abundance Tree gatherings will symbolise social unity and diversity by grafting various olive and fruit tree species that reflect the region’s agricultural and cultural heritage, adding an eco-sustainable dimension to the project. Additionally, local culinary elements will be featured at the Earth Tables, which will be set up in public spaces and based on nature rituals.
During the project, workshops and focus group meetings will be held to evaluate Küçükkuyu’s cultural, artistic, and ecological potential. Strategies will be developed to enhance this potential. Sustainable partnerships will be established with civil society organisations, independent cultural actors, and local governments to promote cultural governance and local development. The goal is to position Küçükkuyu as “the new cultural hub of the Aegean region” while highlighting the region’s cultural identity.
To enhance cultural capacity and foster social belonging, collaboration will be established with local governments. Cultural policies will be developed in both urban and rural areas with the active participation of local youth, women, and civil society organisations.
Bir Tohum Vakfı focuses on creating participatory learning designs by considering knowledge and experience, mastery and expertise, and art and science as complementary elements. It aims to establish relationships for the fusion, adaptation, and transfer of traditional ancient knowledge regarding the relationship between nature and humanity with scientific knowledge, to create spaces, and to develop seeds of thought for building restorative and resilient communities through small-scale applications and examples.
At the Çamtepe Ecological Living Centre, the foundation organises various workshops, training sessions, meetings, and educational programmes for youth, students, children, artists, scientists, and artisans to promote an eco-friendly, restorative lifestyle.
Küçükkuyu Municipality will play a role in developing sustainable, participatory, and democratic processes aimed at positioning Küçükkuyu as a recognised cultural city along the İzmir, Balıkesir, Lesbos, Çanakkale, and Istanbul axis. It will contribute to the formulation of concrete strategies to enhance the cultural capacity of the town.
Teos Culture and Arts Association
This association is involved in the project, to work on cultural policy and is focused on projects aimed at increasing the cultural capacity of the Aegean region. It values solidarity with local, regional, and international networks, ecological sustainability, gender equality, and diversity. It follows an approach that embraces local and regional capacity building, heritage conservation and an interspecies egalitarian worldview.
Yolda Association
This association is involved in the project to work on local cultural diversity and conducts scientific research, advocacy, and communication efforts for the conservation of biological diversity. It focuses on traditional production methods, particularly pastoralism, that contribute to biodiversity and the fight against climate change.
Antandros Association
This association is involved in the project to emphasise archaeological and historical values, working on the promotion of the Ancient City of Andros and the unveiling of historical and cultural heritage.
Izmir Film and Television Producers Association
Projede yer alan faaliyetlerden film gösterimlerinde destek vermek üzere yer alan dernek, Ege Bölgesi’nde film, televizyon endüstrisi ve film kültürünü yaymak ve geliştirmek; sinemanın kentteki ve bölgedeki etkisini güçlendirmek için çalışıyor.
Slow Food İda
Slow Food İda will work on the organisation of Earth Tables and the promotion of local foods, with the aim of popularising the slow food movement in the region.
Adatepe Olive Oil Museum
This institution is involved in supporting local olive culture and spatial usage. It serves as a museum showcasing various tools and accessories related to olive oil production, as well as a collection of olives, olive oil, and soap from nearby villages.
KeKeÇa
As a percussion community, KeKeÇa supports workshop activities in the project and explores the possibilities of movement that produces sound.
Theater Cooperative
This cooperative supports the creation of performances and cultural events in the project. It works to enrich the artistic production of private theatres while strengthening their economic, social, and legal sustainability.
İhtiyaç Haritası (Needs Map)
This cooperative is involved in the project by supporting the creation of the Stories Map and cultural policy efforts. It is a social cooperative that connects those in need with individuals, institutions, and organisations willing to provide support.
Patika Art Group
This community supports the organisation of earth art activities in the project and consists of artists engaged in nature-related art practices.
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