On the trail of civilization: historical legacy and contemporary lifestyles
Location
Our aim in developing this project was to highlight the delights of south-eastern Anatolia, an area much in the news due to political strife. Much of the information published was not previously available or, if it was in the public forum, it was in academic journals.
We aimed to involve the local communities of the nine towns we focused on by seeking their participation in deciding which sites and aspects of their lifestyles should be included. All the photographs in the guidebook and on the website were the work of local residents, who often contributed to the accompanying texts too. As such, the material is very much a homegrown product but really captures the beauty of the area architecturally and environmentally.
While we were keen to showcase the region’s achievements, we also discussed the conflicts between cultures that have characterized it throughout history. Some information can even be described as contentious, as different communities have varied accounts of historical events.
We hope the work we have done will encourage people interested in Mesopotamia, its past and its present, to visit this beautiful area and deepen their understanding of one of the most influential areas in the shaping of human history.
Your idea
This will be the address used to plot your entry on the map.
Street Address
Incilipinar mah
City
Gaziantep
State/Province
Postal/Zip Code
27040
Country
Turkey
Year innovation began
2005
Geotourism Challenge Addressed by Entrant
Quality and distinctiveness of the destination
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Indicate sector in which you principally work
Community Organization
Geographic location
Multiple locations, Urban, Rural, Coast, Desert, Suburban, Mountain, Rainforest.
Plot your innovation within the Mosaic of Solutions
Main insight addressed
Incorporate sustainable practices
Name Your Project
On the trail of civilization: historical legacy and contemporary lifestyles
Describe Your Idea
Our aim in developing this project was to highlight the delights of south-eastern Anatolia, an area much in the news due to political strife. Much of the information published was not previously available or, if it was in the public forum, it was in academic journals.
We aimed to involve the local communities of the nine towns we focused on by seeking their participation in deciding which sites and aspects of their lifestyles should be included. All the photographs in the guidebook and on the website were the work of local residents, who often contributed to the accompanying texts too. As such, the material is very much a homegrown product but really captures the beauty of the area architecturally and environmentally.
While we were keen to showcase the region’s achievements, we also discussed the conflicts between cultures that have characterized it throughout history. Some information can even be described as contentious, as different communities have varied accounts of historical events.
We hope the work we have done will encourage people interested in Mesopotamia, its past and its present, to visit this beautiful area and deepen their understanding of one of the most influential areas in the shaping of human history.
Innovation
What is the goal of your innovation?
To increase tourism, share knowledge of our historical sites, culture, increase economics through the influx of people.
How does your approach support or embody geotourism?
Although Mesopotamia is renowned as the cradle of western civilization, there has been little attention paid to documenting historical sites so that these are readily accessible to tourists, neither Turks or foreigners. Prior to this project, there had been no attempt to link the history of the region to the ethnic and cultural conflicts that have attracted much adverse publicity to south-eastern Turkey. Most significantly, the academic research that had characterized so much foreign interest in the area has been largely ignored.
Our approach was innovative in that it relied on local residents as expert guides to architecture, cuisine, handicrafts and music and highlighted aspects of these areas important to the local population as well as of interest to visitors without specialist knowledge of the region. We established links between the different parts of the region and made academic insights widely available by using different media, such as our guidebook, in English and Turkish, an English-language DVD, a CD of local music and a cultural heritage website. We ensured these forums were known among the local population by publicizing them in schools, colleges, Chambers of Commerce, NGOs, other EU projects and local government.
Describe your approach in detail. How is it innovative?
The team’s approach to documenting the attractions of the region was one of the goals of the project, in so far as involving the community in realizing our aims was as important as compiling the guide book and supplementary materials. In this way, our approach can be described as an end itself. The project began with the team actively soliciting the involvement of local communities by house to house visits, publicizing our aims in NGOs and local government offices, and by visiting schools, colleges and universities in the cities whose histories and contemporary life styles we wished to document. It was clear to us from the outset that our work should describe the region not through the eyes of outsiders, but be a reflection of what the communities themselves regarded as valuable and distinctive about their cities and their lifestyles. We were keen to highlight perspectives, community leaders and sections of the population. Women’s description of traditional recipes and folk dances enriched our accounts of local culture, for instance. The sharing of others’ perspectives also helped many residents to value what may have been taken for granted previously.
What types of partnerships or professional development would be most beneficial in spreading your innovation?
We have worked to create partnerships with travel offices and with local governments so that new initiatives are taken to spread knowledge about the region. Gaziantep has, for instance, now opened a professional development course for tour operators, which incorporates many of the new sites highlighted in our guidebook. We also aim to encourage Turkish Airlines and travel agents in Syria – just across the border – to feature South east Anatolia in their publicity. It is, however, important to facilitate greater awareness of English language skills in order for information to be cascaded to a foreign tourists and tour operators.
Impact
In one sentence describe what kind of impact, change, or reform your approach is intended to achieve.
Increasing tourism will generate an influx of people to educate, share,
build bridges with surrounding countries and increase economics.
Describe the degree of success of your approach to date. Clearly define how you measure quantitative and qualitative impact in terms of how your approach contributes to the sustainability or enhancement of local culture, environment, heritage, or aesthetics? How does your approach minimize negative impacts? 200 words or less
This project has been completed for only three months but already we have seen
positive effects on tourism and exposure in our region as a direct result of this project. We have already began to attract more local, surrounding neighboring countries and international interest in tourism. If the past three months is an indication of what the future will bring, we feel strongly our project is already a success.
There has been a significant increase in press coverage, positive signs of new company openings and restaurants have widened their menus to include english to accommodate foreigners that visit the area.
We have also set up mechanisms for quantitative and qualitative feedback on the project. In addition to collecting government data on hotel reservations, flight bookings, border crossings and museum revenue, we monitor hits on our website, request businesses for feedback on increased financial viability. We check on the opening of new businesses,
and the setting up of courses in producing traditional handicrafts. We actively request tourist to leave comments and suggestion on books left at museums and hotels for their feedback. We are in touch with representative groups in each community and seek opinions on the success of the project.
How does your program promote traveler enthusiasm, satisfaction, and engagement with the locale?
The project, by promoting residents’ evaluations of the attractions of their towns, their lifestyles and the histories in our promotional materials, engage travelers in real localities, not chocolate box stereotypes. We have sought to establish links between historical sites and traditions and the contemporary lives of the population. In this way, the guidebook and DVD act as only a starting point for further exploration of the locality through engagement with the lives of the local people on a wide range of levels. Renewed enthusiasm among the citizenry for their homes translates into the deeper engagement of tourists with the historical contemporary realities of their destinations.
Describe how your innovation helps travelers and local residents better understand the value of the area’s cultural and natural heritage, and educates them on local environmental issues. How do you motivate them to act responsibly in their future travel decisions?
Mesopotamia’s role in the blending of cultures is well documented. The attention focused on historical treasures previously neglected allows the local population the opportunity to reassess their worth. Care is now taken not just of historical sights but of the urban and rural environments where they are located, so that newfound resources are not sacrificed for temporary gain. Local government and educational institutions inculcate values of preservation and restoration in communities and establish new habits in tourists by inviting them to consider the impact that their presence and behaviour have on the locale, through signage, brochures and information packs.
In what ways are local residents actively involved in your innovation, including participation and community input? How has the community responded to or benefited from your approach?
Local residents had substantial input in this project. Residents involvement was and is important in making this project a success. Allowing local residents to choose which recipes, songs and handicrafts that would be part of the guidebook, CD and DVD allows our culture and city to come alive in these tools in marketing our city.We ensured community participation by going house to house and requesting local involvement through questionnaires and interviews. The response was staggering. Residents will benefit not only from income generated by tourism but also by sharing part of themselves, their cultures, their beliefs.
This Entry is about (Issues)
Sustainability
Is your initiative financially and organizationally sustainable? If not, what is required to make it so? What is the potential demand for your innovation?
Our promotional materials have created awareness of the richness of the region’s history, cooking, art forms and products. Improving infrastructure for travelers through better air and road accessibility, attractive accommodation and greater information about historical sites have provided a financial lifeline to many communities, which local government and private enterprise are keen to reinforce.
More attention must be paid to explaining attractions in languages other than Turkish, so that the richness of the region is accessible to foreigners. Although more popular sites can boast multilingual explanations, there is much work to be done in developing resources in less visited communities.
How is your initiative currently financed? If available, provide information on your finances and organization that could help others. Please list: Annual budget, annual revenue generated, size of part-time, full-time and volunteer staff.
The project was originally financed by the European Union and the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce. However, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the
Southeastern Anatolia Project Regional Development Administration also contributed in research and logistical arrangements. Gaziantep Chamber of commerce will continue to support this project in the months and years to come through sales of the music CD, DVD and guidebook which the project team produced.
The total money spent on the project amounted to Euro 496,000. Due to EU funding regulations the project outputs are not subject to be sold. The guidebooks and music CDs are distributed through Tourism Offices and channels of Ministry of Culture and Tourism. During two years of project implementation two full time staff, 10 researchers, 10 experts have been employed.
What is your plan to expand your approach? Please indicate where/how you would like to grow or enhance your innovation, or have others do so.
Turkey has in recent years attracted ever increasing number of tourists Egean and Mediterranean coastlines as well as Istanbul. There is now evidence of increasing interest in the south east region. However linguistic barriers and the lack of internet and on site resources continue to hamper to the development of tourism here. Furthermore evidence is beginning to emerge that growing popularity of the southeast means declining interest in other potentially rich areas with interest for tourists such as the Black Sea where economic deprivation is as acute as in Mesopotamia. Without substantial investment similar to that which created to this project, there is little hope that other regions of Turkey can develop as the south east is doing.
What are the main barriers you encounter in managing, implementing, or replicating your innovation? What barriers keep your program from having greater impact?
A major drawback of the south eastern of the country is the lack of English and other language skills among the local population. This is true even in high class hotels and at major historical sites. Information about communities and historical treasures is not currently available in foreign languages or even, in some cases, in Turkish. Websites need to be developed in conjunction with materials offering more detailed information than the guidebook and DVD can provide. Local guides need more information about historical sites and to be able to communicate in languages other than Turkish.
The Story
Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers' marketing material.
My name is Filiz Hosukoglu.When I was asked to coordinate this project, I instantly knew this project was something I wanted to do as a challenge for myself and for my region. Knowing the cultural richness and magnificent historical sites of the region, I wanted to share it with the world.
This project became my baby for the past 2 years, instantly falling in love with it and spending endless hours nourishing and working hard for it. I am very proud to be part of such a fulfilling, meaningful project and enjoy watching it grow each day.
What is the origin of your innovation? Tell your story.
South eastern Anatolia has long suffered economic deprivation, evidenced by the reluctance of major industries to set up in the region, the lack of infrastructure for travelers and a dearth of user-friendly documentation of historical sites and other local attractions. Until now, much of the focus on the area has been related to terrorist incidents and this has, in turn, discouraged tourism disproportionately. There was, therefore, a clear need for a fresh approach to the region which would emphasise its many distinctive traditions, handicrafts and recipes, its fascinating music and its vibrant history. None of this was documented although the spread of, say, its cuisine all over the country is a testament to the high regard in which it is held. What is more, the importance of Mesopotamia in the development of current geopolitical trends in the Middle East and Europe is well-known, but documentation of sites has largely been confined to academic journals. The promotional materials we produced seek to redress that balance.
Our aim though was not merely documentation. We aimed to involve local communities in decisions as to which areas of their towns and lives should be highlighted. This has resulted in one of the most thorough accounts of Islamic architecture in the region ever to be published and redresses the bias previously in favour of Greek, Roman, Hittite and Byzantine sites. However, the promotional material was not intended as a guide only to the history of the region but also focused on contemporary art forms, whether these were to do with the making of handicrafts, cookery or dance and music.
The increased attention paid to the region by travelers, both local and international, should enable the communities to develop economically. There are already signs that this is happening. Significantly, traditional handicrafts – mosaic making, leather and copper work, to name just three examples – are already getting a new lease of life. Training courses are being set up by local authorities to rejuvenate these crafts.
Incidentally, the attention paid by local communities to historical sites and old-style buildings has greatly increased as these treasures are no longer simply taken for granted and allowed to rot, but are now seen as contributing to the uniqueness of individual communities.
Please write an overview of your project. This text will appear when people scroll over the icon for your entry on the Google map located on the competition homepage.
Our aim in developing this project was to highlight the delights of south-eastern Anatolia, an area much in the news due to political strife. Much of the information published was not previously available or, if it was in the public forum, it was in academic journals.
We aimed to involve the local communities of the nine towns we focused on by seeking their participation in deciding which sites and aspects of their lifestyles should be included. All the photographs in the guidebook and on the website were the work of local residents, who often contributed to the accompanying texts too. As such, the material is very much a homegrown product but really captures the beauty of the area architecturally and environmentally.
While we were keen to showcase the region’s achievements, we also discussed the conflicts between cultures that have characterized it throughout history. Some information can even be described as contentious, as different communities have varied accounts of historical events.
We hope the work we have done will encourage people interested in Mesopotamia, its past and its present, to visit this beautiful area and deepen their understanding of one of the most influential areas in the shaping of human history.
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 | iku said: this is good motivation about this Competition Entry. - 904 days ago read more > |
| MESOPOTAMIA updated this Competition Entry. - 942 days ago |
| escool said: Bautifoul old city.... about this Competition Entry. - 1313 days ago read more > |
| MESOPOTAMIA said: Hello Nancy, Wendy Perrin is such a wonderful person. I have guided various international writers and journalists in the region, but ... about this Competition Entry. - 1345 days ago read more > |
| kenton said: Southeastern Anatolia is such an amazing place to visit. I was able to spend a significant amount of time, a few years ago, in Gaziantep ... about this Competition Entry. - 1346 days ago read more > |
| Nancy Brown said: Hello Filiz, I learned of the project from Wendy Perrin of Conde Nast Traveler magazine. Best wishes with your promotion of the region ... about this Competition Entry. - 1346 days ago read more > |
| MESOPOTAMIA said: Dear Paula, I know that "Your life seems to revolve around finding new recipes,food with plenty of flavor that lingers in the mouth. ... about this Competition Entry. - 1347 days ago read more > |
| MESOPOTAMIA said: Dear Nancy, As the project team we look forward to hosting you in the region and sharing the cultural heritage of SE Anatolia with you ... about this Competition Entry. - 1347 days ago read more > |
| MV said: I know Southeastern Anatolia. I've visited around many places there, taking advantage of my works in EU projects as STE in ... about this Competition Entry. - 1347 days ago read more > |
| soumak1 said: I first visited Gaziantep in the 1990’s to research the cooking styles as well as the history and culture of the region. I’ve written ... about this Competition Entry. - 1347 days ago read more > |
Comments
I have read many of the projects posted and have learned about great places to vacation but this project is extremely impressive. Your web page is fantastic! I am sold! Now, I desire to explore the fantastic wonders of your region. I never knew that Turkey/ your region has so much to offer. I hope your project will have a continued success
I have also read many of the projects posted, learned about great places. and found out that we all are on the same track. Each participant/ project/ initiative has a different approach in order to present the culture, provide sustainability and benefit to the people of the region. We all have the same common denominator. Our web page is still under construction. We hope we will sustain the project by a user friendly and inteactive website.Please do come to the region and share your experiences with us.
I TOTALLY agree with you. Who would of known that Turkey was so beautiful and had this much to offer. I would love to take my family to Turkey on vacation. The knowledge they would gain from such a historical and cultural region.
If we do not tell what we have, how can we expect others to know what we can offer. The region has so much to offer for families, for groups, for academics, for individuals. The authenticity of the region; food, architecture, handicrafts, archeological sites, natural beauties, so many diversities, colors and sounds integrate in such a unique harmony to give the visitor an incredible experince.
YES, I have to agree with you both. I am truly amazed by this project. NEVER in a million years would I of thought or wanted to go to Turkey but I have to admit, after seeing the pictures from the web site, I would LOVE to go. Turkey is now at the top of my list for places to go. The historical sites look fascinating. GREAT WORK on this project! CONGRATULATIONS ON A JOB WELL DONE!
The presentation of the region through our guide, local songs and the film; which are all available on our website,
http://www.guneydogumirasi.org/eng/
will hopefully reach more visitors, and inform them about the region. Our web site is under construction. When it is properly done, it will be interactive and user friendly. We as a team worked very hard with a certain budget and at a scheduled time. Fortunately we are happy to receive positive feedback from visitors, and hopefully this number will increase as more people keep visiting the site, and spread the word.
I am happy to read such positive feedback regarding your project. Your dedication seems to be paying off. Many people are unaware of other cultures and history outside there own Countries. I hope your project will encourage them the desire to come to your region. Your region has suffered much over the centuries and now I feel it is time to see it flourish. It certainly is deserving. The pictures are gorgeous. 15 Years ago I had the privilege in coming to Turkey on business but never ventured South. I think its time to explore the Southern regions. I didn’t realize how much Turkey has to offer.
Dear Samuel,
I just downloaded some pictures from my archive for our entry. I am sure you downloaded the guidebook; where nine cities, a general overview, and useful information( hotels, restaurants, transportation) are available.
http://www.guneydogumirasi.org/eng/
And the photos in Southeastern Anatolia guide book are from different sources. We had professional photographers who worked with us during the implementation of the project. Plus we received donations from many volunteers. Those professional national and local photographers have opened their archives, and let us use the appropriate photographs for the guide book. I am sure you noticed different art of photography as you read our guidebook. There is a Turkish saying which goes" One is able to perceive the message/ information as much as you are able to give". In other words the more we tell about our region, the more the tourist is informed. I hope you will visit T?rkey and South East Anatolia again, and see the difference.
Thank you for introducing the unknown part of Turkey. I looked at your guide book, watched your film and listened to your songs from the villages. All reflect the colors of the region.I think your guide book is the first guidebook published for the region by the participation of the local people. I beleive in more people will visit your region after reading your wonderful guidebook.Good work. Congratulations !!!
Dear Ayse,
Thank you for visiting our website, reading our entry and dropping your comment.
http://www.guneydogumirasi.org/eng/
Yes, I totally agree with you. We collaborated with the local people while we collected the data,photos and the songs of the region. During shooting the area we received generous contribution from the local people. In fact the success of this project is the success of the people of the region. Hoping our visitors will identify with me when they visit South East Anatolia, and meet the hospitable local people who are ready to share their bread with them.
Dear Ms Hosukoglu,
It is just great to see such an initiative promoting Southeastern Anatolia. However, Turkey is known as a low-cost, sun&sand tourism destination in Germany - I am confident that your commitment will appeal the FORUM ANDERS REISEN - a federation of 130 small and medium-sized German tour operators with the aim to promote sustainability in tourism.
Best regards,
Dirk Alejandro König
Munich, Germany
Master of Arts in Sustainable Tourism Management
Ashoka-Volunteer "Geotourism Challenge"
ECPAT-Trainer
Dear Dirk,
Thank you so much for your valuable comment. When one looks at our " Southeastern Anatolia Guidebook, tour overs the pages, watches Mesopotamia film, and listens to our village songs, one can easily say that Turkey is more than sea, sand and sun. Various forms of tourism are available in this region of Turkey; gastro, eco, rural, pilgrimage, health, belief, handicraft. I will contact FORUM ANDERS REISEN in order to promote sustainability in South East Anatolia.
Best regards,
Filiz Hosukoglu
I would like to give little explanations of the photos at "On the trail of civilization: historical legacy and contemporary lifestyles" entry.
On the left;
1. The Mars statue holding spear in one hand symbolizing war, and holding a plant from Euphrates symbolizing peace
2. A detail of the stonework from the minaret
3. A regional dessert called “sobiyet” with emerald green Gaziantep pistachio and clotted cream in it
4. Needle work made by counting and combining the threads on pure silk
5. A regional dish prepared with eggplant, almond, pistachio nuts and rice
6. A dessert prepared with bulgur, cracked wheat and grape molasses garnished with organic pistacio nuts by unique photographer Monica Fritz
On the right;
1. Gaziantep Archeological Museum, with columns and floor mosaics from Zeugma, a pre Roman town situated at the banks of Euphrates
2. A floor mosaic with wall frescos from Zeugma
3. Baklava (It is a pastry made of layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped pistachios and sweetened with syrup) and its derivatives in a traditional copper plate
4. Whole flour flat bread prepared by village women
5. Traditional breakfast dish called “ beyran”, boiled rice served with meat, cooked 12 hours, chili pepper and crushed garlic
6. Semolina helva with local cheese and organic pistachio in clay pot by unique photographer Monica Fritz
This is a superlative entry and effectively embraces the purposes of the Geotourism Challenge program. The website gives a very complete and very beautiful presentation of this incredible region, while still containing accurate information in the context of a highly sustainable project. This will attract people to the region who will be well informed about the things they will see, which are among the most magnificent on the planet. I especially appreciated the opportunity to listen to the folk music of southeastern Anatolia while I looked over the website. It made me feel like I was there already.
This is a wonderful project and the degree to which it received support from the citizens of the region underscores its excellence and its promise for the future. I always encourage people to go to the region, but the website provides me something useful to show them as I talk about what they can see. Southeastern Anatolia is one of my favorite areas of the world and this project helps show others why I feel about it as I do. Thanks to all who made it possible.
Our website has three main sections; first- the guide of nine cities of the region, a general outlook to the region with all cultural aspects, second our promotional film of the region, and third section, 18 songs from the villages of the region. We have so much to do next in our website. We will have the story of the songs, next to the songs section.
Thanks to EU, Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce, both of them supported us financially. Thanks to Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Southeastern Anatolia Project Regional Development Administration GAP BKI, since both supported us logistically and providing all kind of assistance when required. So many actors and participants created this project. The saying “Many hands make light work” describes our project implementation format perfectly. I owe a” big thank you” to those who contributed voluntarily,and whose names are in my heart.
Now this guide will help you to show others why Southeastern Anatolia is one of your favorite areas in the world.
I have been traveling the Southern Anatolia for the time being and always amazed to see tremendous heritage of the civilizations those passed hundreds of years ago. To my dismay, whenever I had to ask for information about a mosque or a local dish, the response was not so equipped with knowledge and wisdom as I expected. So, I had to refer to "foreign" point of views, those who traveled the area, and had more different ways of looking at the subjects, may be influenced by various sources and lacking the local interpretation.
Seeing this project, and especially reading the guide that covers such a vast cultural elements, achieving universal point of view, without falling into the trap of self-glorification, I was satisfied to see that it is possible to learn and understand who, why and when things are done in the area in terms of cultural elements.
My wish is that this project is turned into a living and up-to-date web site, where people interact with each other and share their own experience with their peers.
Thank you for your valuable evaluation. Since you have been traveling the Southern Anatolia for the time being, the guide will be very handy for you. It is not easy to get the right information at the right time. There are various guides written about this region. Most of them lacked the participation of the local people, and are the resaerch of one or two people. Of course this situation means that different ways of looking at the subject is missing in the guides. In this guide in addition to experts; archeologist, historian, city planner, music expert, handicraft expert, gastronomist, phorographers, tourism experts,we had local researchers who provided local data plus local volenteers who participated in all steps of our project, such as helping the crew filming the area, data collecting, reaching local archives of documents and photographs. We tried to cover all cultural aspects of the region with universal point of view.
I join in your wish; preparing a living and up-to-date web site where people will interact with each other, and share their own experinces. The Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce is in the process of devising such a web site, since all the outputs of the project have just been produced.
I really enjoyed the beautiful pictures and information presented about the region. Having lived in Gaziantep for 10 months my husband and I experienced this beautiful culture and friendly people. Unfortunately, we did not have the time to visit some of the areas on the website but maybe someday will return to continue exploring this beautiful and historic area.
We will always have fantastic memories of the beauty, people, food, music, architecture and handicrafts of this beautiful area. Very impressive presentation!
I was lucky enough to visit the Gaziantep region quite recently with the aid of the superb guidebook which is the output of the above mentioned project. It is a brilliant resource to get to know Southeastern Anatolia, its hidden treasures, its customs and culinary culture.
As far as I know, it is the most extensive guidebook yet to have been produced about the region. Anatolian Mesopotamia is the ancestral home of many of our actual crops (wheat, some fruits etc), an amazing global heritage naturally, archeologically...
Thank you for all of your efforts to inspire and engage so many people to conserve it.
(LinDee Rochelle formerly of Phoenix to my tourmates.)
I am one of this project’s American success stories! It was my great pleasure to meet Filiz Hosukoglu and members of her team on a trip to Turkey in May 2006. Filiz organized the trip with Jeni Grossman and her husband, Dr. Gary Grossman, our tour coordinators in the United States.
We traveled throughout Turkey, but concentrated on the southeast. It was obvious to all 22 of us on the tour that because of the Southeastern Anatolia project, we were introduced on a much more personal level, to the sights and sounds of Turkey and its rich culture, than we may have otherwise received.
In addition to acquainting us with the incredible history, magnificent art and fascinating sights, Filiz even arranged for some of us to stay a few days in the homes of gracious Gaziantep residents. It was amazing!
From the mosaics being excavated at Zeugma to an evening at a wonderful bulgar family farm, we learned so much about Turkey and its people. This was no ordinary "touristy" trip. This is what a journey to another country should be about--how are we to create peace if we do not truly know each other?
I am still in contact with Nesrin, my house host in Gaziantep. This trip was for me, a life-altering experience that I continue to share with my friends, family, and business associates. Thank you, Filiz!
The Southeastern Anatolia Promotion Project is a perfect example of people changing people.
It has been a pleasure and an honor to have the privilege to meet Mrs. Filiz Hosukoglu. I am proud to call her a friend. I met Mrs. 5 years ago and have personally seen her hard word and dedication on this project. Mrs. Filiz Hosukoglu is personally responsible for introducing Gaziantep and the surrounding region to me and my friends. Every time I have needed any help while in the area/Country she has taken the responsibility in being our personal tour guide and introducing all the fantastic flavors Gaziantep has and showing us the amazing sites of the region. Zeugma and the surrounding area is my personal favorite and has became a complete package each time having Filiz Hosukoglu guide us through the sites, the markets, the restaurant . I still crave the baklava and the kebabs from that region. Not only are the sites fantastic the food is also fantastic! I hope this project will introduce to the world what a wondrous region this is. Once you go, you will continue to return. I know I havent been able to get enough of the region
I am a Turk who was born and raised in the USA. My family are from Istanbul and of course throughout my life we would come to Turkey to visit family. On a trip to Turkey 3 years ago, my wife met Filiz Hosukoglu who invited us to Gaziantep. My wife fell in love with Filiz and her sparkling personality and insisted we accept her invitation. On that trip I was amazed to see what my Country has. Mrs. Hosukoglu took the time off from her busy schedule, her hospitality was perfect and spent a week showing my family and friends the spectacular sites this region has. I am proud of Turkey and amazed that I never ventured to the Southern region. I also have to admit Gaziantep has the BEST food. Since that trip, we have been back to Gaziantep and the region 2 times!
So glad to know about you! I take group to Turkey every couple of years and would love to visit your area! I have taken note of you information and will be in touch sometime.
I think what you are doing is important for all the reasons you have stated, but also for sharing such a historically rich part of the world with the rest of us!
Cheryl Cobern-Browne
Beadventures
Hoping the local initiatives will provide sustainability for this successful project. Once the people start flowing to the region the word of mouth and interactive web site will help the researchers to find out more about the region. Good work. Congratulations !!
I visited your website , read your guide ,watched your film and listened to regional songs . Congratulations for your wonderful contribution to the region.
As a resident of Gaziantep, I am pleased to see this entry which promotes my city in a positive way. Until now so much of the publicity we have received has been to do with terrorism. Historical interest has largely been confined to Istanbul and the western tourist and historical sites. This guidebook gives detailed historical information about a fascinating but much neglected area of my country - and not just historical but about traditions and cuisine! As a restaurant owner, this last area is of special importance to me!
I have been really impressed by the quality of the pictures in your guidebook and the wealth of information you have included about this little-known area of Turkey. I had never really heard anything about some of the cities you describe, although I have been to Turkey many times and would have called myself something of an expert on your part of the world.
I really look forward to coming to see your region because - you're right - I had avoided it as a trouble spot ... but you are fast changing my impression!
I am lucky enough to be born in Gaziantep. I recently got that wonderful guidebook which is the output of the above mentioned project. It is an amazing book! We needed such a book in that region since a long time. Now, I can comfortably tell all my foreign friends to visit the region. All I need to do is tell them to get a copy of the book.
Thank you for all of your efforts to bring out the beauty of the region.
I am a resident of India and a teacher by profession.
Next month I will be visiting Turkey with three of my students to participate in a cultural program at Gaziantep.
Your guidebook is wonderful and has given us thorough knowledge about the regions in Turkey. I did not know that Gaziantep is such a wonderful place to visit untill I read the guidebook. I studied the project carefully and must mention that the efforts taken to promote various aspects of the regions are worth appreciating.
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vandana
Wonderful project and innovative ways of accomplishing the objectives. Wish you the best.
I had never thought that Turkey would be such an interesting place to visit.I especially wanted to know about Gaziantep,as my friend is visiting the place.
The project is very informative and can attract tourists towards Turkey.
Great Project!!!
I am from India. I knew very little about Turkey & your guide book is a great help.any one visiting for the first time will have no problem at all.The region has so much to offer and it will be an incredible experience to one & all.congratulations for your wonderful contributions to the region.
Darshana
I have enjoying reading the comments from all the participants of the Geotourism challenge. As an American living in a fairly new country, I am intrigued by other countries that have so much history. I have had the opportunity to travel abroad to 12 counties but admittedly never thought to travel to Turkey. Now, since looking at your project, brochure and travel guide I have already contacted my travel agent and will be traveling to Turkey this summer. Thank you for sharing your Country and region with us. It certainly was a hidden treasure that you have generously unveiled to the world.
Great project. Great team work. I believe especially sustainability of it.
Good luck...
Yusuf Yava?
I am a teacher of English in Bangladesh and found the given information fascinating. After going through the detailed information given on your web page, I feel this Promotion Project on Southern Anatolia will be a success. The picture painted here seems to bring the region to life and the details (recipes, songs, pictures etc) add much to the overall view. As mentioned, this is not a 'chocolate box stereotype' but the real thing. I congratulate you and expect the results predicted in your promotion to come true in the very near future. Good Luck.
What makes this project unique is its 'home grown' nature. Too many 'development projects' funded by international donors and NGOs ultimately fail because they impose external values, goals and standards on an uncommitted local community. But this project has insisted on local involvement from the outset. And it will benefit an area that has seen little attention from either the international tourists who throng the capital and the Aegean and Turquoise coasts or the business community. Yet without economic advance the old cultural rivalries and ethnic differences will continue to fester. Turkey cannot afford this. But an increase in communication skills is a sine qua non... courses for residents in English for specific purposes are vital and language schools of international standard need establishing throughout the nine cities.
It is a very good project to increase tourism, share knowledge of historical sites, culture, increase economics.The guide book is going to help tourists to plan their holiday in better way.
all the best.
Ruby
As a tourist who has visited this area of Turkey, I can tell you that the pictures really do justice to the place. This really is a wonderful region of the world and one that is so little known. It's good to see so much about the people and their lifestyles in the write up because that, for me, made the place!
And one more thing to add: it is not as hard to get around the southeast of Turkey as people imagine. The guidebook makes reference to areas which are restricted, but these are really few and far between. Transport infrastructure is great.
It is really refreshing to read about this project. Filiz hanim is absolutely right: everyone knows about Istanbul, the Aegean and Mediterranean tourist resorts and Ephesus, but the east and south east of Turkey is so little known and has so many treasures.
I cannot wait until the Black Sea area gets the same treatment!
We are all so pleased to be associated with this project because it has shown our place in a new way. Already we are getting increased interest from the media about our culture and our history. We are on TV and on the radio not just because of terrorism but because we have beautiful sites. Thank you so much. Everyone in the south east supports this entry.
It is so good to read about my beautiful home area. I am so proud to be a part of a National Geographic competition. I often watch the Nat Geo programs on TV but I never thought I would be reading about my region. Maybe some day soon on the TV too!
Like everyone, I am very proud that my region is involved in this competition. We all like the Nat Geographic magazines that we can get from any bookshop or newspaper stand here. But we get them in our own language. I hope that in the next years, we can write comments in the language of the country and that we can read about future projects in Turkish. Then many more people can contribute.
It is a strange thing to live in one of the oldest regions in the world. (I know that many towns dispute this.) Sitting in my modern Turkish office, I can look over Byzantine castles, old Ottoman mosques and Hittite, Greek, Roman ruins are only a bus ride away. It gives a strange sense of continuity although our religions, ethnicity and so on are so very different. Until now though, very few people could share this feeling. We all hope that this project will change that!
I know that we have a wonderful region, full of historical sites. But for me the greatest thing is that we have delicious food, beautiful scenery and really hospitable people. I really hope that this competition will encourage more people to appreciate the place.
I wonder if Nat Geo realises quite how popular it is here - the magazine and the TV channel. It is an amazing thing that the east of Turkey is in a competition organised by this organization. I am hope that you will feature us on your TV and in your magazine because it will make everyone understand how interesting my home is. Turkey is not just Istanbul!
Cherry trees in bloom, the smell of roasting lamb, the castle on the hill and the taste of raki. Come and see what it is like to live here.
I have read some of the comments about this region. My colleagues have mentioned food but most writers have talked about the history. Sure, Zeugma, the walls of Diyarbakir, the houses of Mardin ... but lets not forget the incredible countryside in this region. This is an rea of extremes: very hot summers, freezing snow in winter and ever changing scenery to go with the climate.
I am very proud that there is so much about my region to write about. But there should be more about the traditional handicrafts. Already we are seeing the revival of some of the traditional crafts as a result of the guidebook and the CD. Copperware and Yemeni slippers are all in evidence in the shops now that summer approcahes and tourists are expected. This project has made a real difference to peoples livelihoods in my town.
Many commentators on this site have talked about the history - of course, they are right although my children wouldnt agree. The next popular thing is the food. Again, everyone in Turkey would agree that Antep food in particular is delicious. But nobody has mentioned the music. The CD contains some very special music - songs that you do not hear everyday anymore. My father was involved in helping the researchers choose traditional songs. What a privilege!