Visit Hacibektas While in Cappadocia
A Cappadocia-visit should also include a visit in the town of Hacibektas. The town is located nearly 1 hour's drive from Nevsehir. You take a local minibus or midibus from Nevsehir. By travelling northwards via the town of Gulsehir you arrive in Hacibektas.
Approximately one fourth of the people in Turkey belong to Alawi-Islam and Haci Bektas Veli is one of the leading personalities of this sect. Without a visit in Hacibektas, it is difficult to get a full picture of Turkey. In the present day world where we search for dialogue between the religions, it is probable that a key to this dialogue will show itself in Hacibektas. Alawi-bektasi sect of Islam is based mainly on the ideology of having the human beings in the center of all and with its simplistic ( and easy-to-understand) philosophy, it propagates for being a good person with a proper life.
In Hacibektas-town, visit two places:
1) Hacibektas Museum, which is the monastery where the pupils of Alawi-Bektasi sect were trained. There you find different section of the monastery with amongst others the kitchen and the tomb of Haci Bektas Veli.
2) By driving few minutes from the town center , you come to a type of open-air museum with an amphi-theatre and a "cilehane". "Cilehane" is a small cave and if you can pass through the small hole, this means that you are free from your sins.
In the Culture Center of the town, you also may join at certain periods SEMA-performances, which is the Alawis' traditional dances.
There is a website about the town of Hacibektas but it is only in Turkish. At least in the main page, you find a video ( without voice) showing the town. Website address is http://www.hacibektas.com/.
Sunday, December 24, 2006
TURKISH NORWEGIAN FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION
A FEW WORDS ABOUT TURKISH-NORWEGIAN FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION
A FEW WORDS ABOUTTHE TURKISH-NORWEGIAN FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION(TNDD)
TNDD was founded in Izmir on 18.11.2002 and the main objective is to contribute in developing relations between Turks and Norwegians. Social relationship already existed between the locals of Balcova and the Norwegians. For a more comprehensive cultural and economic dimension to be added, the relations have paved the way for cooperation with NTV in Norway, so the TNDD have thus come into being.
Now the Mayor of Balçova- then The General Manager of Balçova Thermal Facilities, Mr.Mehmet Ali Çalkaya and the Norwegian numismatist, a real friend of the Turks and a true lover of Izmir, Mr. Sverre Lerdahl together have extended efforts to achieve this result. Likewise we would like to mention the contribution of Mr.Turabi Çelebi, General Manager of Balçova Thermal Facilities. We were provided with more valuable contributions by the other founder members in materializing the result.
Finally we would like to thank Mr. Yusuf Ziya Göksu, Governor of Izmir who is already well-known with his support for any kind of civilian initiative at every stage and encouragement provided by the district governors of Balçova so far.
Founders
Mehmet Ali CalkayaServet EcemisSinan TortumAlaettin YucelCoskun OktemNuh Cihangir DurgunSadik YardimciProf.Dr. Guven BakırAss.Prof.Dr. R.Eser Gultekin
Activities and Projects
Participation at the Metropolis Excavations (Project Leader: Ass.Prof.Dr.H åkon Ingvaldsen)A four-man team of archeologists from the University of Oslo participated in August-September,2004 at the excavations in Torbalı-Metropolis led by Prof.Dr.Recep Meriç.
In 2005, Ass.Prof.Dr. H åkon Ingvaldsen, Expert Marina Prusac, Expert Şermin Anadol and students Ole-Christian Aslaksen ve Jone Rost Kile participated at the excavations.
Support Project for Adana Children's Home (Project Leader: Sezar Kayri)
NTV leads the support Project for The Children's Home in Adana. In the home, there are 160 children in the age group 0-18. The work with the sanitary system was completed. NTV contributed with 30.000 Norwegian Crowns.
Student Exchange Project (Project Leader: Cavidan Hansen)
Within the framework of this pilot Project, two students from Darüşşafaka High School came to Drammen in 2004 and contributed to the exchange of cultures.
Turkish Week
Turkish Culture Week 2005
In the dates 20-29.January,2005 a Turkish Culture Week was successfully completed at the exhibition hall of Galeri 2000 in Lilleström. During the whole week carpets from different regions of Turkey were exhibited by Aina Romanich ve Hayim Akyüz.
Experts in different areas gave lectures on their subjects. Hayim Akyüz held a speech on the Turkish carpet art. The other lectureres and the subjects were as follows:
*Ass.Prof.Dr. Håkon Ingvaldsen- Antique city of Metropolis-a Norwegian pilot Project in Turkey
*Anne Grete Haugen from Vingreiser-Turkey as a country to be visited.
*Mag,Art. Şermin Anadol- Theatre in Turkey in the antique age.
As part of the same activity, Jorunn K irkenær Ballet School presented a dance show led by Thale Smestad.
Visit by The Governor of Izmir in 2004
The governor of Izmir-Mr.Yusuf Ziya Göksu, on his visit in Norway, delivered officially the house, which will be used as Norway House. The house is located at the entrance of Balçova Thermal Facilities. On 17.May, 2004 the agreement of intention was signed by Ass.Prof.Dr.Håkon Ingvaldsen and the governor of Izmir Mr.Yusuf Ziya Göksu.
Finally the house was opened on 17.May, 2005.
We are intebted to Mr.M.Ali Çalkaya, who started the initiative and Mr.Turabi Çelebi, who made his invaluable contribution in the restoration work. We also owe much to Mr. Yusuf Ziya Göksu for acting as the guardian of the project.
Meeting with Mr.Erdogan-The Prime Minister of Turkey
On April 11 th two representatives of the Norwegian-Turkish Friendship Union had the honour of meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr. Recep Erdoğan, during his official visit to Norway . Chairman Mr. Sverre Y. Lerdahl and board member Dr. Håkon Ingvaldsen represented NTV. The Turkish Ambassador to Norway sat by during the meeting that lasted for 30 minutes in the Presidents suite, Grand Hotel, Oslo .
Mr. Lerdahl opened the conversation by giving a brief history of NTV, our sister organization in Turkey and the initiative behind this prosperous collaboration. He stressed the importance that the former and present General Directors of Balçova Termal had played in this process, and the decisive support the Governor of Izmir had given the collaboration. Mr. Lerdahl informed also about the coming events in Balçova in May. PM Mr. Erdoğan was obviously already informed about the key persons involved in this process, and gave his strong support to the collaboration. He treasured the efforts made by everyone involved, and promised to keep an eye on the process in the time to come.
Dr. Ingvaldsen then gave a short digital presentation of NTV's activities, projects and achievements. A special emphasis was put on the plans for the Norway House in Izmir . The prosperous mix of social engagement, academic collaboration and cultural exchange was stressed upon, and future plans for additional achievements were pointed out. We focused on the possibilities of developing tourism to an even wider extent in Turkey , and the importance that a variety of cultural activities obviously will play in this development. PM Mr. Erdoğan elaborated further on this matters, and both parties had thoughts following the same path.
PM Erdogan closed the meeting by commending NTV's work and the collaborating parties on the Turkish side. He promised that the Embassy in Norway as well as the Governor's office in Izmir would be of assistance if problems occurred during our future work. Erdogan was handed over gifts from NTV, the (preliminary) statutes of Norway House and copies from the press about Turkey , Balcova and NTV/Norway House that have been published during the last two years.
A FEW WORDS ABOUTTHE TURKISH-NORWEGIAN FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION(TNDD)
TNDD was founded in Izmir on 18.11.2002 and the main objective is to contribute in developing relations between Turks and Norwegians. Social relationship already existed between the locals of Balcova and the Norwegians. For a more comprehensive cultural and economic dimension to be added, the relations have paved the way for cooperation with NTV in Norway, so the TNDD have thus come into being.
Now the Mayor of Balçova- then The General Manager of Balçova Thermal Facilities, Mr.Mehmet Ali Çalkaya and the Norwegian numismatist, a real friend of the Turks and a true lover of Izmir, Mr. Sverre Lerdahl together have extended efforts to achieve this result. Likewise we would like to mention the contribution of Mr.Turabi Çelebi, General Manager of Balçova Thermal Facilities. We were provided with more valuable contributions by the other founder members in materializing the result.
Finally we would like to thank Mr. Yusuf Ziya Göksu, Governor of Izmir who is already well-known with his support for any kind of civilian initiative at every stage and encouragement provided by the district governors of Balçova so far.
Founders
Mehmet Ali CalkayaServet EcemisSinan TortumAlaettin YucelCoskun OktemNuh Cihangir DurgunSadik YardimciProf.Dr. Guven BakırAss.Prof.Dr. R.Eser Gultekin
Activities and Projects
Participation at the Metropolis Excavations (Project Leader: Ass.Prof.Dr.H åkon Ingvaldsen)A four-man team of archeologists from the University of Oslo participated in August-September,2004 at the excavations in Torbalı-Metropolis led by Prof.Dr.Recep Meriç.
In 2005, Ass.Prof.Dr. H åkon Ingvaldsen, Expert Marina Prusac, Expert Şermin Anadol and students Ole-Christian Aslaksen ve Jone Rost Kile participated at the excavations.
Support Project for Adana Children's Home (Project Leader: Sezar Kayri)
NTV leads the support Project for The Children's Home in Adana. In the home, there are 160 children in the age group 0-18. The work with the sanitary system was completed. NTV contributed with 30.000 Norwegian Crowns.
Student Exchange Project (Project Leader: Cavidan Hansen)
Within the framework of this pilot Project, two students from Darüşşafaka High School came to Drammen in 2004 and contributed to the exchange of cultures.
Turkish Week
Turkish Culture Week 2005
In the dates 20-29.January,2005 a Turkish Culture Week was successfully completed at the exhibition hall of Galeri 2000 in Lilleström. During the whole week carpets from different regions of Turkey were exhibited by Aina Romanich ve Hayim Akyüz.
Experts in different areas gave lectures on their subjects. Hayim Akyüz held a speech on the Turkish carpet art. The other lectureres and the subjects were as follows:
*Ass.Prof.Dr. Håkon Ingvaldsen- Antique city of Metropolis-a Norwegian pilot Project in Turkey
*Anne Grete Haugen from Vingreiser-Turkey as a country to be visited.
*Mag,Art. Şermin Anadol- Theatre in Turkey in the antique age.
As part of the same activity, Jorunn K irkenær Ballet School presented a dance show led by Thale Smestad.
Visit by The Governor of Izmir in 2004
The governor of Izmir-Mr.Yusuf Ziya Göksu, on his visit in Norway, delivered officially the house, which will be used as Norway House. The house is located at the entrance of Balçova Thermal Facilities. On 17.May, 2004 the agreement of intention was signed by Ass.Prof.Dr.Håkon Ingvaldsen and the governor of Izmir Mr.Yusuf Ziya Göksu.
Finally the house was opened on 17.May, 2005.
We are intebted to Mr.M.Ali Çalkaya, who started the initiative and Mr.Turabi Çelebi, who made his invaluable contribution in the restoration work. We also owe much to Mr. Yusuf Ziya Göksu for acting as the guardian of the project.
Meeting with Mr.Erdogan-The Prime Minister of Turkey
On April 11 th two representatives of the Norwegian-Turkish Friendship Union had the honour of meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr. Recep Erdoğan, during his official visit to Norway . Chairman Mr. Sverre Y. Lerdahl and board member Dr. Håkon Ingvaldsen represented NTV. The Turkish Ambassador to Norway sat by during the meeting that lasted for 30 minutes in the Presidents suite, Grand Hotel, Oslo .
Mr. Lerdahl opened the conversation by giving a brief history of NTV, our sister organization in Turkey and the initiative behind this prosperous collaboration. He stressed the importance that the former and present General Directors of Balçova Termal had played in this process, and the decisive support the Governor of Izmir had given the collaboration. Mr. Lerdahl informed also about the coming events in Balçova in May. PM Mr. Erdoğan was obviously already informed about the key persons involved in this process, and gave his strong support to the collaboration. He treasured the efforts made by everyone involved, and promised to keep an eye on the process in the time to come.
Dr. Ingvaldsen then gave a short digital presentation of NTV's activities, projects and achievements. A special emphasis was put on the plans for the Norway House in Izmir . The prosperous mix of social engagement, academic collaboration and cultural exchange was stressed upon, and future plans for additional achievements were pointed out. We focused on the possibilities of developing tourism to an even wider extent in Turkey , and the importance that a variety of cultural activities obviously will play in this development. PM Mr. Erdoğan elaborated further on this matters, and both parties had thoughts following the same path.
PM Erdogan closed the meeting by commending NTV's work and the collaborating parties on the Turkish side. He promised that the Embassy in Norway as well as the Governor's office in Izmir would be of assistance if problems occurred during our future work. Erdogan was handed over gifts from NTV, the (preliminary) statutes of Norway House and copies from the press about Turkey , Balcova and NTV/Norway House that have been published during the last two years.
IZMIR EXPO 2015
Izmir's Chances for getting Expo 2015
Izmir, which is the third biggest city in Turkey, aims at beeing the host city for Expo 2015. Expos have excited and inspired millions of people around the world by expressing the hopes and desires of their times. Perhaps unwittingly, they also provide a fascinating glimpse into the realities of those same times. Ever since the first world’s fair in London in 1851, the goals of world’s fairs have been both high-minded as well as commercial. They also allow people to explore the world outside of their everyday experience — outside cultures, new scientific advancements, and new inventions. As times change, world expositions have changed to fit those times. They continue to reflect both the commercial needs of their times while presenting the ideals, hopes, and aspirations of people even as those evolve. Izmir and Milan gave their official bid for Expo 2015. The City of Izmir, Turkey became the first city to officially bid for the right to host the larger-size 6-month Expo 2015. Izmir's proposed theme for the 6-month exposition is "New Routes to a Better World/Health for All." If successful, 2015 would see the first international exposition ever held in Turkey. Milan, Italy officially bid for Expo 2015 on 30 October 2006. They're proposing the theme "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life." The local authorities in Izmir, amongst others the mayor of İzmir, express their great hope for beeing host. Izmir is a symbol for the Turkish modernization movement, but the city needs to realize comprehensive developments. The city should be made attractive in all respects. Amongst others the transport system should be extended and improved, and the hotel accommodation capacity increased to meet this great challange. It should be added that the historical roots of the city should be more visible. This implies that the theatre and the statdion now under the present day settlement should be excavated. Sinan Tortum Tour Guide in Turkey
Izmir, which is the third biggest city in Turkey, aims at beeing the host city for Expo 2015. Expos have excited and inspired millions of people around the world by expressing the hopes and desires of their times. Perhaps unwittingly, they also provide a fascinating glimpse into the realities of those same times. Ever since the first world’s fair in London in 1851, the goals of world’s fairs have been both high-minded as well as commercial. They also allow people to explore the world outside of their everyday experience — outside cultures, new scientific advancements, and new inventions. As times change, world expositions have changed to fit those times. They continue to reflect both the commercial needs of their times while presenting the ideals, hopes, and aspirations of people even as those evolve. Izmir and Milan gave their official bid for Expo 2015. The City of Izmir, Turkey became the first city to officially bid for the right to host the larger-size 6-month Expo 2015. Izmir's proposed theme for the 6-month exposition is "New Routes to a Better World/Health for All." If successful, 2015 would see the first international exposition ever held in Turkey. Milan, Italy officially bid for Expo 2015 on 30 October 2006. They're proposing the theme "Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life." The local authorities in Izmir, amongst others the mayor of İzmir, express their great hope for beeing host. Izmir is a symbol for the Turkish modernization movement, but the city needs to realize comprehensive developments. The city should be made attractive in all respects. Amongst others the transport system should be extended and improved, and the hotel accommodation capacity increased to meet this great challange. It should be added that the historical roots of the city should be more visible. This implies that the theatre and the statdion now under the present day settlement should be excavated. Sinan Tortum Tour Guide in Turkey
ARMENIAN CHURCH IN KAYSERI
Armenian Church in Kayseri
One of the places I have to visit when in Kayseri is the Armenian Church. The city of Caeserea, today called Kayseri, has an important place in the history of the Armenian Church. Once the most important city in central Anatolia, with a population said to be 400000 in 250 AD, it was where St. Gregory the Illuminator grew up, was educated, and became a Christian. The church sits within a high walled enclosure that also contains many smaller ancillary buildings, mostly now derelict and roofless. The church is a relatively recent construction, being built in 1856. There are older dates on some of the surrounding buildings, so there was probably an older church on the same site. In the 1990s the interior was renovated, and the altars re-gilded. The church has a main entrance on its west side - a large belltower stands in front of it, forming a porch. There is a secondary entrance at the west end of its south side, plus a third entrance above this secondary entrance that is reached by an external staircase and gives access to a large gallery inside the church, at its western end. This gallery was probably intended for women only. Its wooden floor is divided into rectangles, each with a number, marking the position where the rug of an individual worshiper would have been laid. With the exception of the columns, the interior is entirely covered in plaster decorated with a mixture of motifs - European, Turkish, and Armenian - of little real artistic merit but very much of their time period. On the pendentives of the dome are depicted the four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, together with their attributes.
One of the places I have to visit when in Kayseri is the Armenian Church. The city of Caeserea, today called Kayseri, has an important place in the history of the Armenian Church. Once the most important city in central Anatolia, with a population said to be 400000 in 250 AD, it was where St. Gregory the Illuminator grew up, was educated, and became a Christian. The church sits within a high walled enclosure that also contains many smaller ancillary buildings, mostly now derelict and roofless. The church is a relatively recent construction, being built in 1856. There are older dates on some of the surrounding buildings, so there was probably an older church on the same site. In the 1990s the interior was renovated, and the altars re-gilded. The church has a main entrance on its west side - a large belltower stands in front of it, forming a porch. There is a secondary entrance at the west end of its south side, plus a third entrance above this secondary entrance that is reached by an external staircase and gives access to a large gallery inside the church, at its western end. This gallery was probably intended for women only. Its wooden floor is divided into rectangles, each with a number, marking the position where the rug of an individual worshiper would have been laid. With the exception of the columns, the interior is entirely covered in plaster decorated with a mixture of motifs - European, Turkish, and Armenian - of little real artistic merit but very much of their time period. On the pendentives of the dome are depicted the four Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, together with their attributes.
SEMTEVI ( WARD HOUSES) IN BALCOVA
Ward Houses ( Semtevleri) in Balcova
Balcova is a sub-district within the metropolitan Izmir. The mayor of Balcova is Mr.Mehmet Ali Calkaya, who was elected mayor in 2004. He started social projects and one of them is the "Semtevleri Projesi" ( Ward Houses Project). Several ward houses were opened in Balcova and the women have taken courses in making handicrafts. They have sold what they have made and so earned money. In this way they have contributed to their family budgets. While in Izmir, you can visit one of these "semtevi" and purchase handicrafts made by the women of Balcova. Some tourist groups have already visited the ward houses and contributed to them.
Address: Çetin Emeç Mah. Duygu Sok. Öðretmenler Sit.Balcova
Phone: Semtevi-t : +90.232.278 69 61
Directions: Close to wednesday market
Other Contact: Mail : semtevleri@balcova.bel.tr
Balcova is a sub-district within the metropolitan Izmir. The mayor of Balcova is Mr.Mehmet Ali Calkaya, who was elected mayor in 2004. He started social projects and one of them is the "Semtevleri Projesi" ( Ward Houses Project). Several ward houses were opened in Balcova and the women have taken courses in making handicrafts. They have sold what they have made and so earned money. In this way they have contributed to their family budgets. While in Izmir, you can visit one of these "semtevi" and purchase handicrafts made by the women of Balcova. Some tourist groups have already visited the ward houses and contributed to them.
Address: Çetin Emeç Mah. Duygu Sok. Öðretmenler Sit.Balcova
Phone: Semtevi-t : +90.232.278 69 61
Directions: Close to wednesday market
Other Contact: Mail : semtevleri@balcova.bel.tr
Ali Bey Hamam- Turkish Bath in Izmir
Ali Bey Hamam in Karsiyaka is one of the turkish baths which can be visited. In the near past they accepted mixed groups, but now they only accept one sex groups. Therefore menn and women should come here at their respective time. It is a bath from the 17th century and it was planned by an italian architect. When you see the cross structure on the ceiling then you understand easily why in the past it was called the priest bath.
Directions: Close to the main pedestrian street of Karsiyaka and the railway. Ask the local people.
Other Contact: +90.533.724 63 65
Directions: Close to the main pedestrian street of Karsiyaka and the railway. Ask the local people.
Other Contact: +90.533.724 63 65
COSKUN DENTAL CLINIC IN BALCOVA, IZMIR, TURKEY
While in Turkey, you can save money on dental treatment at a cost one third of that in your home country. One of these dental clinics is Coskun Dental Clinic. The clinic was founded by dentist Coskun Kuru in 2005. Although the foundation of the clinic is new, the dentists are experienced at their work. Mr. Coskun Kuru (the founder, dentist) was graduated from Ege University, Faculty of Dentistry in 1986. He has been working in his private clinic for 18 years. The new place for the clinic is a triplex villa. The clinic has four seperate units which all have dental instruments with the latest technology and in which all dental operations can be performed. Hygene is important in this clinic. All of the units are cleaned with disinfectants after every operation. The clinic offers services varying from diagnosis, prosthetic treatments to implants and flap operations. Translation services are offered. Prices for crown start from 140,-€.
Address: Balçova / İZMİR
Phone: +90.232.277 10 44
Directions: Down Economy University and Cable Car in Balcova-Izmir. Sarmaşık Cad. No:106 Balçova / İZMİR
Website: http://www.coskundental.com/
Other Contact: stortum@yahoo.no
Address: Balçova / İZMİR
Phone: +90.232.277 10 44
Directions: Down Economy University and Cable Car in Balcova-Izmir. Sarmaşık Cad. No:106 Balçova / İZMİR
Website: http://www.coskundental.com/
Other Contact: stortum@yahoo.no
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