Urgent call to resolve mounting problems in Hasankeyf

Statement by Hasankeyf Matters and the Initiative to Keep Hasankeyf Alive

In years past, the ancient city of Hasankeyf attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, offering them the chance to explore the traces of more than 20 civilizations that contributed to the city’s cultural heritage. With a history spanning 12,000 years, Hasankeyf held a special appeal to visitors from the surrounding region as well as to those from western Turkey, and every corner of the globe. These visitors enabled local residents to provide for their families while also sharing their specialized knowledge of this historic landscape. 

Today, with the completion of the Ilısu Dam and the creation of a huge reservoir covering the old town, conditions in Hasankeyf have deteriorated severely: Local residents face both an immediate crisis of unemployment, and very likely significantly diminished income for years to come. As for the city’s unparalleled cultural heritage, vast tracts of land – holding archaeological and architectural remains of inestimable value – lie unprotected beneath the reservoir. After only a few months of submersion, it is possible to observe significant deterioration in the condition of Hasankeyf’s cultural heritage. 

In recent weeks, for example, it appears that erosion has uncovered what may be human remains near the cave church at the base of Ra’s Kayım, a site at the eastern edge of Hasankeyf’s lower city that figures in local oral historical accounts of the massacres of 1915.* Despite the presence of ample immovable cultural heritage attesting to the significant role that Christians played in Hasankeyf’s history for nearly 2000 years, the city’s Christian element is almost entirely excluded from the Government of Turkey’s cultural heritage conservation program. (This program comprises mainly the Hasankeyf Museum and the adjacent archaeological park.) 

The remains of villas, madrasahs and cemeteries in Hasankeyf’s Salihiyye Gardens are also showing signs of rapid deterioration. These remains constitute the best-preserved examples of the medieval garden districts typical of Seljuk cities across Anatolia and Persia. Unfortunately, this treasure of Islamic civilization will be lost forever unless urgent action is taken to save it. 

The seepage of water through the rock-and-concrete barrier surrounding Hasankeyf’s Citadel is also a matter of the utmost concern. In late spring, this seepage led to the flooding of the historic monument known as the Küçük Saray (Small Palace) at the northeast corner of the Citadel, raising concern that water may also be seeping into the solid limestone mount upon which the Citadel itself is built. The leaking barrier was built at great expense and has severely marred the appearance of the Citadel. Its failure, placing parts of the Citadel at risk of collapse – just as critics of the Ilısu Dam project had feared – is unacceptable. So too is the long closure of the new Hasankeyf Museum due to significant leaks in its roof. The dismantling of Hasankeyf’s tourism-based economy is also unacceptable. 

The government has never released a substantive and convincing plan for transforming Hasankeyf, post-Ilısu, into a world-class tourist destination. And the evidence is mounting day-by-day that Hasankeyf and its residents will struggle for a long time simply to regain the level of commercial activity enjoyed before the destruction of the historic city.

In light of the deteriorating physical and economic conditions described above, we demand that the Government of Turkey take immediate and urgent steps to halt the damage to, and destruction of, the cultural heritage of Hasankeyf and surrounding areas. There are many ways to generate electricity, but the only way to achieve sustainable and diversified growth in Hasankeyf is by allowing the Tigris River to flow freely and restore the equilibrium of the natural ecosystem. 

Specifically, we call on the Government to: 

• Establish an independent, interdisciplinary commission of engineers, architects, cultural heritage conservation professionals, and other experts to evaluate – and report to the public about – the situation at Hasankeyf, including the ongoing threats to the Small Palace and Citadel, as well as progress on repairing/reopening the Hasankeyf Museum. 

• Establish an independent, interdisciplinary commission, including sociologists, engineers, architects, and housing and urban-planning experts, to ensure that problems in the new settlement area of Hasankeyf are resolved promptly. These include problems with the new housing units, drinking water, and poor drainage during heavy rains.

• Ensure that all residents forcibly displaced during the implementation of the Ilısu Dam project are provided with access to adequate affordable housing as close as possible to the location of their original homes, regardless of gender, family status, wealth, employment status, or property ownership. All affected people must be compensated according to international law. 

• Drain the Ilısu Dam reservoir, let the river run free, allow the natural ecosystem to regain its balance, and continue the excavation, documentation, and conservation of the invaluable archaeological and architectural treasure hidden in the soil of Hasankeyf and the surrounding area.

• Document the intangible cultural heritage of the local residents of Hasankeyf and the nearly 200 villages within the flooded area.

• Develop systematic mechanisms to include a broad cross-section of stakeholders in a rigorous, consensus-based program to design, implement, and manage a plan for environmentally and socially sustainable development in Hasankeyf and the Upper Tigris basin. Such a plan must preserve the beauty and value of the natural ecosystem for the social, cultural, scientific, and economic benefit of future generations. 

While the Ilısu hydroelectric power plant is designed to produce approximately 4000 GWh of electricity each year (roughly one percent of Turkey’s total annual electricity consumption), there is little question that the cumulative potential cultural, social, educational, and economic benefits to be derived from protecting the cultural heritage of this historic landscape far exceed the anticipated economic impact of the dam project. 

Hasankeyf is one the world’s most valuable archaeological sites. If the reservoir is drained and the natural ecosystem restored, the majestic landscape of Hasankeyf and the Upper Tigris basin could become the anchor for a regional tourism industry based on nature and culture that is both environmentally sustainable and economically profitable. 

For more information: 

www.hasankeyfmatters.com 

www.hasankeyfgirisimi.net 

Notes: 

* See “Sayfo” in Andreas Fink, Der arabische Dialekt von Hasankeyf am Tigris (Osttürkei), Wiesbaden 2017, pp. 18-20.

Open letter to DSI: Forced eviction of Hasankeyf merchants would violate the universal right to work

*** The Initiative to Keep Hasankeyf Alive *** Hasankeyf Matters ***

*** Fivas – The Association for International Water Studies ***

*** The Corner House *** Riverwatch ***

OPEN LETTER

RE: Forced eviction of Hasankeyf merchants 

would violate the universal right to work

5 March 2018

To:
Mr. Murat Acu, General Director
State Hydraulic Works (DSİ)

Mr. Ali Naci Kösalı, Region 16 Director
State Hydraulic Works (DSİ)

Mr. Şehmus Erkan Dursun, Hasankeyf Branch Director
State Hydraulic Works (DSİ)

CC:
Prof. Dr. Veysel Eroğlu
Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs

Mr. Ahmet Deniz
Governor of Batman

Mr. Faruk Bülent Baygüven
District Governor of Hasankeyf

Dear Mr. Acu:
Dear Mr. Kösalı:
Dear Mr. Dursun:

We write to you to express our concern about the official notice (tebligat) of 22 February ordering merchants to vacate their shops in the historic touristic bazaar of Hasankeyf within two weeks. The notice warns that failure to comply will result in forced eviction. Such action would constitute a flagrant violation of the right to work, which is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 23). [Also published in Turkish]. Case law of the European Court of Human Rights protects aspects of the right to work.

We note that the new settlement area is still under construction and cannot support a level of commercial activity equivalent to that currently enjoyed in the historic touristic bazaar. We also note that Turkey has ratified the International Convention on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and is obligated to respect, protect and fulfill the right to work.

Of particular relevance to the present situation in Hasankeyf is the fact that under Article 6 of the ICESCR, Turkey is committed to safeguarding the right to work by, among other measures, implementing “policies and techniques to achieve steady economic, social and cultural development and full and productive employment under conditions safeguarding fundamental political and economic freedoms to the individual.”

The right to work “also implies the right not to be unfairly deprived of employment,” (ICESCR General Comment No. 18, paragraph 6). Should the government force the merchants out of their current location now or at any time prior to the installation and operation of facilities/services necessary to support and promote commercial activity in the new settlement area, it will have deprived the merchants, their families and the entire community of Hasankeyf of economic well-being and diminished their sense of dignity. Consequently, these merchants will be “entitled to adequate reparation, which may take the form of restitution, compensation, satisfaction or a guarantee of non-repetition” (General Comment No. 18, ICESCR, paragraph 48).

We refer also to the UN “Basic Principles and Guidelines on Development-based Evictions and Displacements.” As this is a situation in which the merchants (and all residents) of Hasankeyf are compelled to relinquish their property through expropriation, the state is obligated to compensate those displaced for various damages they suffer as a result of their involuntary displacement. Such damages include, for example: “lost opportunities, including employment, education and social benefits; material damages and loss of earnings, including loss of earning potential; moral damage; and costs required for legal or expert assistance, medicine and medical services, and psychological and social services” (paragraph 60, emphasis added).

These Guidelines also state, “Cash compensation should under no circumstances replace real compensation in the form of land and common property resources. Where land has been taken, the evicted should be compensated with land commensurate in quality, size and value, or better” (paragraph 60, emphasis added).

Notwithstanding Turkey’s obligation to compensate any and all whose economic well-being is to be diminished (in many cases irreparably) by the Ilısu Dam and Hydroelectric Plant Project, the merchants of Hasankeyf have proposed an interim solution, which would lessen to some extent the damage to their economic, social and cultural interests.

According to this proposal, the merchants would continue to conduct business in the historic market until the people of Hasankeyf have taken up residence in their new homes and the monuments to be salvaged (with the exception of the minaret of the Er-Rızk Mosque) have been relocated to the new settlement area. This would not only enable the touristic market to continue drawing visitors to the town, but it would also allow for a degree of social and economic continuity during the difficult transition to the new settlement area.

In conclusion, we call upon you to exercise the utmost care in planning and executing the relocation of the residents of Hasankeyf to their new homes and workplaces. You, as the state authorities managing the Ilısu Dam project, are responsible for safeguarding the human rights of all those affected by the project. In cases where these rights are violated, you are responsible for ensuring that those who have suffered harm are compensated appropriately.

Signed

Hasankeyf Matters
The Initiative to Keep Hasankeyf Alive
Fivas – The Association for International Water Studies, Norway
The Corner House, United Kingdom
Riverwatch, Austria

Er-Rızk Mosque, Hasankeyf (built 1409)

Eviction threat looms over merchants in Hasankeyf’s historic bazaar

Every weekend, a steady, if modest stream of tourists still visits Hasankeyf, despite the accelerating destruction in and around the town. They buy souvenirs in the historic bazaar and enjoy a cup of tea or a meal. But local residents say the government has given merchants along the “touristic bazaar” an ultimatum: vacate their shops within two weeks, or be forcibly evicted.

Hasankeyf's historic market (Fall 2017)

Previous announcements set deadlines of 1 October 2017 and 17 January 2018 for closing the bazaar ahead of the town’s planned move to a new settlement area outside of the flooding zone. But last week’s notification (dated 22 February) is said to be stronger, warning that merchants could be evicted by force if they do not comply. Shopkeepers are understandably hesitant to abandon their workplaces, especially as peak season approaches; some are saying, “We’re not going.”

The new Hasankeyf marketplace (Feb 2018)

Many merchants have been allocated spaces for their shops in the new settlement area, but there are no customers to serve in the new marketplace, which sits near the tourism school, within view of the new museum. Neither facility has opened. In fact, the new town is still under construction, and it will be years before major tourism attractions such as the museum and an “archaeopark” (where a handful of architectural elements taken from historic Hasankeyf will be displayed) are ready for visitors. The merchants know that their incomes will drop sharply as soon as they close their current shops.

New housing is still under construction (Feb 2018)

The ostensible reason for evicting the merchants at this early date is to demolish the market and clear a path for the removal of the minaret of the Rizk Mosque, which stands at the western end of the market street. Several local residents have noted, however, that the state has not expropriated all properties along the market street, as some owners have rejected the government’s cash offers. The path cannot be fully cleared until these cases are resolved.

Some shop owners argue further that the minaret should not be moved until after the other monuments to be salvaged have been relocated to the new archaeological park and the Hasankeyf residents settled in their new homes. This would enable the bazaar to continue drawing visitors to the town, allowing for a degree of social and economic continuity during the difficult transition to the new settlement area.

Unfortunately, local residents report that recent conversations with government officials have been especially tense, and they fear that the market could be closed forcibly early this month. We hope that the authorities will find a way for Hasankeyf merchants to keep earning a living and providing for their families.

May 7-8 Symposium: "Hasankeyf and the Tigris Valley"

Please join us this weekend at the "Hasankeyf and Tigris Valley Symposium," May 7-8 in Batman and Hasankeyf. Organized by the Batman Urban Council (Batman Kent Konseyi) in partnership with The Initiative to Keep Hasankeyf Alive and the Mesopotamia Ecological Council, the symposium promises a lively and productive program.

Speakers include Ertuğrul Günay (former Minister of Culture and Tourism), Nevin Soyukaya (Head of Culture and Tourism for the Greater Diyarbakir Municipality and responsible for management of UNESCO-listed Sur District and Hevsel Gardens), Zeynep Ahunbay (Prof. of Architecture, former ICOMOS-Turkey President and, co-founder of Europa Nostra-Turkey), and several other well know scholars, environmentalists, and politicians (representing both the ruling AKP and the pro-Kurdish HDP).

The program is free and open to all. Batman is served by multiple flights daily from Istanbul and Ankara.

7 May 2016 – BATMAN, YILMAZ GÜNEY CINEMA

10:15-10:30 – Opening Remarks

• Gülistan AKEL (Batman Co-Mayor)
• Abdulvahap KUSEN (Hasankeyf Mayor)

10:30-12:30 – 1st Session: Hasankeyf History and Cultural Heritage

Moderator: Nevin SOYUKAYA (Director, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Greater Diyarbakır Municipality): “Results of Diyarbakır’s Listing as UNESCO World Heritage”

Presentations:

• Ertuğrul GÜNAY (Former Minister of Culture and Tourism, 2007-11): “The Government’s Approach to Hasankeyf”
• Prof. Dr. Gülriz KOZBE (Batman University): “The Geomorphology of the Tigris Valley and the First Settlements at Hasankeyf”
• Prof. Dr. Zeynep AHUNBAY (Istanbul Technical University): “The History of and the UNESCO Process”
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serhat HARMAN (Batman University): “Hasankeyf and Cultural Tourism”
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Düzgün ÇAKIRCA (Batman University): “What do We Lose with the Ilısu Dam?”

12:30-13:30 – Lunch

13:30-15:30 – 2nd Session: The Social, Ecological and Economic Impacts of the Ilısu Dam

Moderator: Prof. Ayla AKAT ATA (KJA Association Chair): “Hasankeyf and Women”

Presentations:

• Prof. Dr. Murat BİRİCİK (Dicle University): “Biodiversity and the Ilısu Dam”
• Ayten ERASLAN (Batman Ecological Council, Co-Spokesperson): “The Ilısu Dam Project from a Socio-ecological Perspective”
• Selahattin GÜVENÇ (Mediterranean Migration Association, Former Co-Chair): “Migration and Social Impacts”
• Murat TEKİN (Hasankeyf merchant): “Migration and its Social Impacts from the Local Hasankeyf Perspective”

15:15-15.30 – Coffee break

15:30-17:30 – 3rd Session: Efforts Against the Ilısu Dam Project

Moderator: Gülistan AKEL (Head of the Batman Kent Konseyi)

Presentations:

• Kemal VURAL DOĞAN (Lawyer): “Hasankeyf and Legal Struggle”
• Dr. Veysi AYHAN (Hasankeyf’i Yaşatma Girişimi): “The Struggle Against the Ilısu Dam and for the conservation of Hasankeyf”
• Dicle Tuba KILIÇ (Head of Doğa Derneği): “Actions of Doğa Derneği against the Ilısu Dam Project”
• Özkan SUN (Hasankeyf Matters): “To Understand Hasankeyf, Let’s Live Hasankeyf”

Dinner


8 MAY 2016 – HASANKEYF TERRACE, HASANKEYF

10:00-12:00 – Hasankeyf Meeting and Discussion

Moderator: Recep KAVUŞ (Head of the Batman Environmental Volunteers Association)

Speakers:

• Abdulvahap KUSEN (Hasankeyf Mayor)
• Mustafa BAYRAM (Co-Mayor of Halfeti/Urfa, which has been partially flooded by the Birecik Dam)
• People from Hasankeyf
• Dam-affected people from Halfeti
• Dam-affected people from Dersim

12:00-13:00 – Hasankeyf Nature Walk

13:00-14:00 – Lunch

Organized by Batman Urban Council, The Initiative to Keep Hasankeyf Alive, Mesopotamia Ecological Network

Hasankeyf selected by Europa Nostra for 7 Most Endangered program

The historic town of Hasankeyf, located on the Upper Tigris River in southeastern Turkey, has been selected as one of Europe’s “7 Most Endangered” heritage sites for 2016.

The announcement, which noted that Hasankeyf is one of Europe’s most important archaeological sites, was made today in Venice by Europa Nostra, Europe’s leading heritage organization, and the European Investment Bank Institute. The nomination was submitted by the Cultural Awareness Foundation and supported by Hasankeyf Matters and the Initiative to Keep Hasankeyf Alive as a step toward preserving the town and supporting an ongoing dialogue about heritage conservation and sustainability.

Hasankeyf is under direct threat by the Ilısu Dam and Hydroelectric Power Plant Project. If implemented as planned, this project will flood the town and destroy most of its archaeological treasures.

Hasankeyf in historical context

With a history extending 12,000 years, Hasankeyf holds some of the earliest evidence of organized settlement discovered anywhere. Known as “Kifas” in Aramaic, the city was a center for Syriac Christians and became the seat of a Nestorian bishop in the 5th century CE. From the earliest years of the Islamic expansion, “Hisn Kayfa,” as it is called in Arabic, served as an administrative capital for the region.

At the height of its prosperity in the 12th-15th centuries, Hasankeyf was famous for its architectural and technological innovations and displays even today extensive examples of Seljuk-era urban infrastructure, including roads, water distribution networks and manufacturing facilities. Its skyline, dominated by the pylons of a 12th-century bridge (the largest of its day) and the minarets of two 15th-century mosques, serve as a reminder that Hasankeyf is also the product of numerous cultures and civilizations, including the Turkmen Artukids and the Kurdish Ayyubids. Several monuments reflect both Sunni and Shi’i influences, and in addition to the town’s numerous mosques and churches, Ottoman population records show that Hasankeyf continued to be inhabited by both Muslims and Christians for centuries.

Hasankeyf and the surrounding Tigris Valley are of extraordinary value to all humanity. The area was declared a First Degree Archaeological Site by Turkey’s Supreme Board of Monuments in 1978 and has been under the protection of the Culture Ministry’s General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums since 1981. However, Turkey has not nominated the site for World Heritage status, despite the fact that it likely fulfills 9 of 10 UNESCO criteria, according to a Stanford University/Doğa Derneği study authored by Zeynep Ahunbay and Özge Balkız.

Exploring alternative approaches to heritage conservation and sustainability

Within the framework of the 7 Most Endangered program, a team of heritage and financial experts from Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute will assess the site and help formulate a feasible action plan for conserving Hasankeyf and its invaluable universal heritage. This study will be conducted in close cooperation with public and private stakeholders in Turkey and will take into consideration the investments that have already been made in the area’s development.

The Government of Turkey has its own vision for salvaging select monuments and developing the site for tourism. However, no detailed salvage plan has been disclosed to the public, and there has been little consultation with representatives of the local and regional population to address their aspirations for economic advancement and safeguarding cultural heritage. The lack of a viable scheme for protecting Hasankeyf’s monuments contributed to the decision taken by Germany, Austria and Switzerland in 2009 to withdraw export credit support for the Ilısu Project.

It is hoped that a locally grounded management strategy can be developed to balance heritage conservation and economic growth within the broad urban ecosystem of Hasankeyf and surrounding villages. Already the first steps to spur sustainable growth are visible in the ecological villages project launched by the Hasankeyf District Governor in the nearby village of Üç Yol with the support of the Tigris Development Agency (DiKA). Given its historical significance and appealing setting, Hasankeyf and its hinterlands, which in recent years have attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors, could accommodate 2 million tourists and generate tourism-related revenues of €500 million annually.

Europa Nostra’s 7 Most Endangered program presents an opportunity for the Turkish Government to share best practices in heritage conservation and sustainable economic growth, for example by publishing a detailed action plan to realize its vision for Hasankeyf. Ideally, in order to allow time for consensus-building among all stakeholders, construction of the Ilısu Dam and related projects should be suspended to allow for a fully participative discussion at all levels of society. Hasankeyf could become a model for implementing the United Nations’ 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, which call for cities to be “inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” by emphasizing the need to “protect and safeguard the world’s natural and cultural heritage.”

Europa Nostra

http://www.europanostra.org

Europa Nostra is a citizens’ movement for safeguarding Europe’s cultural and natural heritage. Through its pan-European network of 250 member heritage organizations, 150 associated governmental and corporate organizations and 1500 individual members, Europa Nostra works with policy makers at local, national and European levels to protect cultural heritage and promote economic growth and job creation. ‘The 7 Most Endangered’ has the support of the Creative Europe program of the European Union, as part of Europa Nostra’s network project “Mainstreaming Heritage.”

Cultural Awareness Foundation

http://www.kulturbilinci.org

The membership of the Cultural Awareness Foundation (Kültür Bilincini Geliştirme Vakfı, KBGV) includes business people, artists, scholars and experts from the fields of art, architecture, archaeology, history, etc. Through a variety of programs ranging from seminars and conferences to documentation and conservation projects (especially focusing on the Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman periods), the KBGV works to raise awareness and increase appreciation of and contribute to the conservation of diverse sources of cultural heritage in Turkey.

Initiative to Keep Hasankeyf Alive

http://www.hasankeyfgirisimi.net

Founded in 2006, this coalition of local and regional activists, local authorities, professional organizations and NGOs struggles against the Ilısu Project and promotes social-cultural-ecological development in Hasankeyf and the Upper Tigris Valley. The coalition’s work includes research and publication, seminars and consciousness-raising events in Hasankeyf, Batman and Dargecit. It maintains an information office in Hasankeyf.

Hasankeyf Matters

http://www.hasankeyfmatters.com

Hasankeyf Matters is a group of volunteers seeking to raise awareness about Hasankeyf nationally and internationally by forging links between the local population and visitors (including bringing together journalists, artists, walkers, photographers, etc. at twice-yearly “ingatherings” in Hasankeyf) and serving as an aggregator and distributor of information about Hasankeyf (news, history, environment, tourism, etc.).

Hasankeyf shortlisted for Europe's 7 Most Endangered

Europa Nostra has shortlisted Hasankeyf for its 7 Most Endangered program, raising hopes that plans for the Ilısu hydroelectric dam project may be altered to spare both the town and the Upper Tigris Valley from flooding. Ranging from the Palace of Justice in Brussels, Belgium, to the archaeological site of Ererouyk and the village of Ani Pemza in Armenia, the shortlist of 14 sites highlights Europe's geographical breadth and cultural diversity.

Hasankeyf: an unparalleled treasure of Seljuk-era urban
archaeology at the eastern edge of Europe

As noted in Europa Nostra’s announcement, non-official projections indicate that construction of the dam may continue through 2017 and that the huge reservoir will not begin to fill before 2018. Previously, government officials had stated that the dam would be completed by 2015. While President Erdoğan insisted today that the Ilısu dam will be completed, the delay in construction opens a window of opportunity for stakeholders and experts to put forward a strategic plan that balances conservation and sustainable development.

In recent years, Hasankeyf has attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. With proper planning and regulation to protect archaeological and natural treasures, Hasankeyf could accommodate 2 million visitors and produce revenue approaching 500 million euros annually. It is worth noting that this figure, which has already been surpassed in Göreme National Park in Cappadocia, is higher than the anticipated direct revenues of the Ilısu hydroelectric plant.

Already the first steps to spur sustainable growth are visible in the ecological villages project launched by the Hasankeyf District Governor in the nearby village of Üç Yol/Difni with the support of the Tigris Development Agency (DiKA).

Mor Aho Monastery lies east of Hasankeyf,
near the village of Üç Yol/Difni

Even as it is preparing for the flooding of Hasankeyf, the Turkish government seems to recognize the value of the town's heritage. It is reinforcing some structures, including the Imam Abdullah Tomb and the Artukid Bridge, to be left under water, and there are plans to remove a number of monuments and architectural fragments to the museum being nearing completion in the new settlement area. The government's vision for Hasankeyf's cultural attractions is summarized briefly in a recent press statement.

If Hasankeyf is designated as one of Europe’s 7 Most Endangered sites, heritage and financial experts from Europa Nostra and the European Investment Bank Institute, working in close cooperation with public and private stakeholders representing local and national interests, will assess the site and, taking into consideration the investments that have already been made, help formulate a feasible action plan for conserving Hasankeyf and its invaluable universal heritage.

It is hoped that this report will contribute to an ongoing discussion of theories and methods of heritage conservation among leading conservationists, government decision-makers, and other stakeholders in Turkey.

--HK Matters team

6th Hasankeyf Ingathering, 24-27 October 2014

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

[Türkçe için önceki yazıya bakınız]

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

6. Hasankeyf’te Buluşma Etkinliği, 24-27 Ekim 2014

ÖNEMLİ BİR GÜNCELLEŞTİRME: VI. Hasankeyf Buluşmasının iptali/mekanın değiştirilmesi (detaylar için tiklayınız)

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Hasankeyf’i yaşayalım! Birlikte Hasankeyf’in kültürel mirasını keşfedip kayda geçireceğiz, 24-27 Ekim 2014.

Ressamları, fotoğrafçıları, gazetecileri, belgeselcileri, el sanatçılarını, etnologları, botanik uzmanlarını, sözlü tarihçileri ve ilgilenen herkesi davet ediyoruz. Resimler, eskizler, filmler, fotoğraflar, ses kayıtları, ve hikayeler toplayarak Hasankeyf’in kültürel arşivini geliştirmeye devam edeceğiz. Çünkü bölgenin ekonomik büyümesi için Hasankeyf’in arkeolojik eserlerine, doğasına ve maddi olmayan kültürüne iyice bakarak ve yöresel gelenekler dikkate alınarak sürdürülebilir bir strateji geliştirilebilir.

Katılmak için, lütfen bir mail atınız:
HasankeyfmattersATgmailNOKTAcom
(Mail içinde adınızı, telefon numaranızı, mail adresinizi, mesleğinizi, ve dijital medya ile sanatta uzmanlığınızı/ilgilerinizi yazmanız rica edilir)

Dört gün boyunca (24-27 Ekim) Hasankeyf’te buluşalım diyen katılımcılar için çeşitli faaliyetler düzenlenecek:

• Şehrin tarihi yapılarını (Zeynel Bey Türbesi, Koç Camii) ve doğal güzelliklerini gezeceğiz.
• Amca oğulları, teyze kızları, arkadaşlarımız ve misafirlerimizle sohbet edeceğiz, sözlü tarihleri kaydedeceğiz.
• Çocukların açık hava “atölye”sinde fotoğrafçılık hakkında (ışık, kompozisyon, hafıza ve yedek) ders sağlamak için imkanı olacak.
• Çeşitli araçlar kullanarak (kara kalem ve renkli resim, fotoğraf, video, ses kaydı vd.) şehrin semtlerini gezip gözlemler yapacağız, arkeolojik kalıntıları göreceğiz, Ra’s Tıbbah tepesinden şehre bakacağız, sokaklarda, bahçelerde, çarşıda karşımıza çıkan insan manzaralarını resimleyeceğiz.
• Kısaca, Hasankeyf’in geleceğini hayalimizde canlandıracağız.

Hasankeyf için neden çaba göstermeliyiz?
Hasankeyf’in şu günlerde her zamankinden daha çok yardımımıza ihtiyacı var !
İnsanların ilk yerleşik hayat denemelerini yaptıkları zamanlardan beri Hasankeyf ve civarı uygarlığı besleyen bir yer oldu ve bugün de medeniyetlerin buluşma noktası olarak biliniyor. Özellikle, incelenmeyi ve yorumlanmayı bekleyen Selçuklu döneminden kalma çok sayıda eser var.

Kültür ve turizm açısından bakarsak, Hasankeyf eşsiz bir yer ve önemli olanaklar sunuyor. Şehrin çeşitli mimari geleneklere ait yapılarını, sokaklarını, camilerini, kiliselerini gören Arap, Kürt, Türk ve diğer medeniyetlerden insanlar, atalarının neler başarmış olduklarını görerek gurur duyacaklar.

Bu miras nasıl korunabilir?
Bir zamanlar Hasankeyf’in hakimleri olmuş Asurilerin, Perslerin, Romalıların, Hamdanilerin, Artukoğulları’nın, Eyyubi’lerin, Akkoyunlular’ın, Osmanlılar’ın vs. torunları olarak, medeniyetlerin buluşma noktası olan bu kentte ortak kültürel mirasımızı ve paylaştığımız doğal kaynakları birlikte değerlendirmeliyiz.

Hasankeyf bizlere miras kaldı. Düşünce, inanç ve felsefe olarak ne kadar farklı olursak olalım, ortak mirasımıza ve tarihimize vefamızı gösterelim. Gelin dostlar, Hasankeyf’te buluşalım.

PRATİK BİLGİLER
Ulaşım: THY ve Pegasus’un Batman’a, Diyarbakır’a ve Mardin’e uçak seferleri var. Hasankeyf’e toplu taşıma ile ulaşım akşama kadar var. Hasankeyf’e yolculuk, Batman’dan 1,5 saat, Diyarbakır’dan ve Mardin’den 2,5-3,0 saat sürüyor.

Konaklama: Hasankeyf Hasbahçe Pansiyon’da konaklama kişi başı 60 TL (kahvaltı dahil). Bahçede çadırda kalmak isterseniz, kişi başı 35 TL (duş ve kahvaltı dahil). Pansiyonun sahibi Fırat Argun (tel.: +90(530)9291527).

Kıyafet önerileri: Ekim ayında hava sık sık değişebilir. Gündüz hava ılımlı olabilir, ancak geceleri genelde soğuk oluyor. Onun için kazak ve mont tavsiye edilir. Yanınıza yağmurluk almanız da iyi olur. Bölgenin geleneklerine uymak bakımından, hem erkekler hem de kadınlar için uzun kollu gömlek ve uzun pantolon tavsiye edilir.


Daha fazla bilgi için:
Hasankeyf Matters
hasankeyfmattersATgmailNOKTAcom
http://www.hasankeyfmatters.com
(İngilizce, Türkçe, Arapça, Fransızca)

Hasankeyf Hasbahçe
Türkçe, Arapça, Kürtçe konuşulur.
Sahibi: Firat Argun
+90.530.929.1527

Calling Visual Artists: A Path to the Preservation of Hasankeyf, May 16-19

The 5th Hasankeyf Ingathering will take place May 16-19, 2014.

Calling all visual artists, amateur and professional

We invite visual artists, photojournalists, radio journalists, and other interested parties to help us build an archive – paintings, sketches, films, photographs, and sound recordings – of Hasankeyf. Our goal is to create a collection of compelling images and narratives 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.

Explore

Over the course of four days (May 16-19), participants in the 5th Hasankeyf Ingathering will have time to become familiar with the town and its people, work with children doing art, explore the area along the river and in the surrounding canyons, and create visual images, videos, and sound recordings – of landscapes, archaeological fragments, street scenes, flora and fauna, local craftsmen and musicians at work, the people of Hasankeyf or simply whatever catches their eyes, ears or hearts.

Daily activities: May 16-19, 2014

"See those sheep on the cliff?  Those our are sheep!"

• Use the Hasankeyf Walking Guide: As you explore, ponder the puzzle of urban technology and town design – cliffs, canyons, caves, gardens, water canals cut into the rock, homes and palaces, public works, urban technology linking a medieval city with its natural environment
• Meet the people who keep Hasankeyf alive: Encounters and conversations with shepherds, weavers, tailors, fishermen, gardeners, and others paint a rich picture of the community
• Create: 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
• Inspire children: In daily art workshops with Hasankeyf kids, participants will help them use paper, pencil, brush, and paint to explore ideas with color and line on a blank surface
• Relax and reflect: Evenings are for sharing ideas and work, playing music, watching documentaries, offering critiques, and brainstorming

Is there still hope for Hasankeyf?

Relax with friends

The Ilısu Dam is due to be completed this year and threatens to destroy 80 percent of Hasankeyf. 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.

Because the world needs more places like Hasankeyf

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:

How to get there
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).

Sunrise, Ra's Tıbbah Hill, Hasankeyf

Where to stay
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, at +90.530.929.1527 to make your reservation.

What to wear
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. Mid-May weather brings warm days and cool nights. Bring a sweater, jacket (for cold nights), and a raincoat to be on the safe side. Good walking/trekking shoes are an absolute must!

Join us!
Let us know if you're coming by RSVPing to the Facebook event V. Hasankeyf'te Buluşalım, 16-19 Mayıs / 5th Hasankeyf Ingathering, 16-19 May 2014 or by sending us an email at hasankeyfmattersATgmailDOTcom.

In addition to your name and contact information (telephone and email preferred), sharing a bit more about yourself and your interest in the Ingathering -- your profession, your interests/expertise in visual media, your main motivation for participating, and any special requests/suggestions -- will help us plan the best event possible.

To keep up with all the latest Hasankeyf happenings, why not "like" our Hasankeyf Matters Facebook page too?

For more information, please contact:
Hasankeyf Matters
English, French, Turkish & Arabic
hasankeyfmattersATgmailDOTcom
http://www.hasankeyfmatters.com
+90.539.304.4944

Hasankeyf Hasbahçe
Turkish & Arabic
Firat Argun, owner
http://www.hasankeyfhasbahce.com
+90.530.929.1527

Trapped in limbo, Hasankeyf warms to a new season of tourism

Puzzled at how much the town changes from one visit to the next, a traveler returning to Hasankeyf asks, “How can there be so much work going on if Hasankeyf is about to be flooded?”

In recent months, for example, work has begun on a new municipal park; a field was prepared for a cirit tournament; and a network of surveillance cameras has been installed around town. There are newly paved streets, new walking paths, a new parking lot, and so on.

A new parking lot will leave more room for people to enjoy
the view (we hope for years to come)

Cirit clubs from Sivas and Erzincan competed in
Hasankeyf in December on a newly prepared field

Cameras have been installed in and around town

The local reaction to these projects varies from, “They will never flood Hasankeyf!” to “Hasankeyf is finished; there’s noting left here.”

The mood swings back and forth between hope and despair.

Fenced in, with an uncertain fate (12th c. Artukid Bridge)

Just three months ago there was a proud sense of solidarity and common resolve among local residents. It was the end of the tourist season, a four-man delegation from Hasankeyf had met with officials in Ankara, and many were optimistic that a bargain could be struck with the government.

Then followed a long, harsh winter. Sub-freezing temps kept a meter of snow on the ground for a month, with long interruptions in water and electricity. Short days, cold nights, no tourists and no income. Negotiations with the government in Ankara stalled.

“We’ve had enough,” says a grocer. Another merchant mentions that he’s thinking of heading west to find work, noting, “We’re not leaving Hasankeyf; Hasankeyf has already left us. This town cannot feed us.”

As the weather warms, there are signs the mood may be shifting yet again. The number of weekend tourists is rising gradually, and everyone is anxious to see the outcome of the March 30 local elections. Talking about his plans for the new season, a restaurant owner declares, “We want to try new things to attract customers. We can’t do everything this year. This is just a start, and we’ll do more next year.”

A new concrete footpath to the Zeynel Bey Tomb was built last year

Construction of the Ilısu Dam is scheduled to be completed within months, but it is not clear when the waters of the new Ilısu Reservoir will be allowed to rise, or how high they will rise. And without a transparent plan for evacuating residents and salvaging select archaeological monuments, it is impossible to know how many more seasons Hasankeyf has left.

In the meantime, the people of Hasankeyf eagerly await both day-trippers and those who can linger a while.

Weaver Fares Ayhan and textiles vendor Arif Ayhan
reset the loom for the new season 

Hasankeyf’te buluşalım! / Meet me in Hasankeyf!

Time to celebrate Hasankeyf and the Tigris!

Hasankeyf Matters and Nature Iraq invite you to the fourth Hasankeyf Ingathering, to be held Friday September 13 to Tuesday September 17, 2013.



Join us as we celebrate the Tigris, the source of civilization and the basis of prosperity, and explore the special relationship between Hasankeyf and the river:

• Follow the canyons to upland springs from the gardens and orchards next to the river
• Admire the Seljuq-era technologies that made Hasankeyf the magnificent capital of the Artukids (in the 12th century) and Ayyubids (13th-15th centuries)
• Fish from the banks of the river, walk with shepherds, find the best place for bird-watching
• Try out the traditional boats of the Tigris, before they sail downstream as part of the Tigris River Flotilla 

Start the day walking with the herd!

Photo: Hasankeyf Matters

The Tigris River Flotilla Project will see representatives from Nature Iraq exhibit three types of traditional boats – the tarada from the marshlands of southern Iraq, the guffa from central Iraq, and the kelek from Hasankeyf. These boats have provided the basis for trade and commerce along the Tigris for millennia and today are a potential resource for ecotourism entrepreneurs.

The Tarada is used in the southern Iraqi marshlands

Photo: Nature Iraq

The official launch of the Tigris River Flotilla will take place on Sunday, September 15. Over the following two months, the Flotilla will continue downstream through Iraq, with media events in Fishkhaboor, Baghdad, and Chibaish.

Become a friend to the people of Hasankeyf
Recent reports indicate that construction of the Ilısu Dam will be completed in 2014, which means that most of Hasankeyf and virtually all tangible traces of those who have lived here could disappear beneath the reservoir as early as 2016.

A modern kelek (Hasankeyf raft)

Photo: Hasankeyf Matters

Hasankeyf and its residents still need the support of all those interested in the sustainable stewardship of cultural heritage and environmental riches. The Ingathering organizers invite everyone to celebrate the shared heritage of dialogue and prosperity for which Hasankeyf and the length of the entire Tigris have been known throughout history. This is the time to ask, “What is the best way to ensure that Hasankeyf and all communities along this legendary river continue to thrive?”


Hasankeyf Ingatherings occur twice yearly (late summer and spring) with three objectives:

1. To explore the city of Hasankeyf and its environs
2. To bring people from different cultures together for dialogue and mutual understanding
3. To call attention to local traditions and practices that could provide the foundation for environmentally sustainable economic development over the coming decades.

Practical information:

Remains of Seljuq-era water filtration system

Photo: Hasankeyf Matters

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 Diyarbakir and Mardin).

Lodging is available at Hasankeyf Hasbahçe. Room rates are 50 TL per person per night; 25 TL per person to camp (showers available). Contact Firat Argun, owner, at +90.530.929.1527.

Mid-September weather: hot days, cool nights. Guests should bear in mind that Hasankeyf residents share the traditional values of communities all over the region, including modest clothing (long pants and long sleeve shirts preferred for both male and female). Good walking/trekking shoes, sweater and coat (for cold nights), and a raincoat are recommended.

Hasankeyf: a cradle of civilization 

Photo: Hasankeyf Matters

For more information, please contact:
Hasankeyf Matters
English, French, Turkish & Arabic
hasankeyfmatters@gmail.com
http://www.hasankeyfmatters.com
+90.539.304.4944

Hasankeyf Hasbahçe
Turkish & Arabic
Firat Argun, owner
hasankeyf_hasbahce@hotmail.com
+90.530.929.1527

Nature Iraq
English, Dutch, Arabic, Kurdish
jantine@natureiraq.org
http://www.natureiraq.org
+964.770.461.5017