6th Hasankeyf Ingathering, 24-27 October 2014

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Cancellation/change of venue of 6th Hasankeyf Ingathering (click link for details)

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Explore and document Hasankeyf’s past and present, October 24-27, 2014. We invite artists, photographers, journalists, film-makers, craftspeople, musicians, archivists, folklorists, botanists, oral historians and other interested parties to help us build an archive – paintings, sketches, films, photographs, sound recordings, stories, and images reflecting Hasankeyf’s archaeological remains, nature, and intangible culture, giving all stakeholders the opportunity to see the town’s living heritage as a vital component of sustainable economic development in the region.

Please register by sending us an email at hasankeyfmattersATgmailDOT.com (include name, telephone, email, profession, creative interests and expertise with digital media).

Daily activities: October 24-47, 2014

• Record stories and oral histories: Record your encounters and conversations with shepherds, weavers, tailors, fishermen, gardeners, and others to capture examples of the community’s unique culture and history
• Contribute to the visual archive: Ample time will be set aside at different times each day, allowing for variety in lighting, to sketch, paint, photograph, record, and pursue other creative activities in a favorite spot
• Share your expertise: In daily photography workshops, participants will help young photographers with essential techniques, such as lighting, composition, storage and backup
• Use the Hasankeyf Walking Guide: As you explore, ponder the puzzle of urban technology and town design – gardens, water canals cut into the rock, homes and palaces, public works, urban technology linking a medieval city with its natural environment



Bıttım (Pistacia terebinthus), Rasçem orchards, Hasankeyf

• Relax and reflect: Evenings are for sharing ideas and work, playing music, watching documentaries, and brainstorming

Is there still hope for Hasankeyf?
The schedule for completing the Ilısu Dam has been extended into 2015. However, it remains unclear when – or how high – the waters of the new Ilısu Reservoir will be allowed to rise. In effect, no one knows how much time Hasankeyf has left, because there is no transparent plan for evacuating residents and salvaging select archaeological monuments. We firmly believe that as long as there is life in Hasankeyf, there is hope that a win-win solution can be found that’s good for both Hasankeyf and the Turkish economy.

Is Hasankeyf worth the struggle?
Absolutely, now more than ever.

Hasankeyf, with its magnificent fragments of Seljuk-era monuments, offers an unparalleled venue for Turks, Arabs, Kurds, and others to recall past glories, compare their narratives of the past, and explore the mosaic of cultures, dynasties, and religions. Hasankeyf, one of the first places ever chosen for organized human settlement 12,000 years ago, is still a city where civilizations meet for peace and reconciliation – not to mention tranquility, reflection, and dreams.

Practical information:
Pegasus Airlines and Turkish Airlines fly to Diyarbakır, Mardin, and Batman. Public transportation to Hasankeyf takes 90 minutes (from Batman) and 2-3 hours (from Diyarbakır and Mardin).

Lodging is available at Hasankeyf Hasbahçe. Accommodations include en suite rooms (double, triple or dorm) at the special rate of 60 TL per person (including breakfast) and space in the garden for campers (35 TL per person, including showers and breakfast). Contact Firat Argun, owner, directly at +90.530.929.1527 to make your reservation.

Dress according to local climate and tastes – both men and women should avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts/tank tops, opting instead for comfortable and loose-fitting trousers and shirt tops. Weather conditions can change quickly in late-October. Bring a sweater, jacket (for cold nights), and a raincoat to be on the safe side. Good walking/trekking shoes are an absolute must!

For more information, please contact:
Hasankeyf Matters
English, French, Turkish & Arabic
hasankeyfmattersATgmailDOTcom
http://www.hasankeyfmatters.com

Hasankeyf Hasbahçe
Turkish & Arabic
Firat Argun, owner
+90.530.929.1527