A STORY OF INHERITANCE
May 24–26, 2024 | Fırtına Valley, Çinçiva Village
A gathering focusing on nature, culture, and art, hosted by Moyy Atölye.
In late May 2024, the doors of an old school building in Fırtına Valley were reopened. Located in the heart of Çinçiva Village, it was a structure built collectively by the villagers in 1907, where many children received their education over the years, but which had long since fallen into disuse.
At Moyy Atölye, we believed that this structure was not just a building, but a witness carrying the memory of the valley. Therefore, we organized a gathering for this valuable space, bringing together our producer and artist friends living in and around the valley.
Fırtına Valley is valuable not only for its unique natural beauty but also for the refined and original way of life it has forged with nature. Every aspect, from its architecture to its cuisine, from its music to its craftsmanship, is profound, resilient, and distinctive. However, like many natural areas in the world, our valley faces various threats. The lack of conservation policies, uncontrolled tourism, and the effects of the climate crisis are making this beauty increasingly fragile. With all these concerns in mind, we wanted to take a concrete step to protect both nature and our cultural memory.
Event Theme: Rhododendron Flower
The event was inspired by the rhododendron, one of the valley's symbols, known locally as the "kumar flower." Blooming every year in May, these flowers create a magical atmosphere in the valley, both visually and olfactorily. This is also the time when bees flock to collect the year's first nectar, marking the awakening of nature.
We specifically chose this time. To remember, create, and dream anew together, at a moment when nature is coming alive…
Çinçiva Old School
The Çinçiva School, central to the event, was built in 1907 through communal effort on land purchased by villagers through pooling their money. It opened for education in 1910 and provided uninterrupted education until 1994. After the introduction of a school transportation system, it was left empty. For a time, it served as one of the region's first guesthouses, hosting various cultural and artistic events. Then, it fell silent again.
Today, with the support of public institutions, and at the request of the local people and young producers and artists living in the valley, the goal is to re-evaluate this structure as a cultural heritage. With this event, we have taken the first step in this process, ignited the first spark.
Dreaming Together
This three-day gathering was the initial excitement for this space, which we hope will one day transform into a structure that brings culture and nature together under the name "Honey Museum." Everyone's contribution, support, and dreams made this process possible. The stories, sounds, and smells inside carried hope.
PROGRAM
Works of local producers and artists.
Workshops
Productions based on aromatic plants and fragrances.
Hikes to the Honey Forest
Habitat identification and observation
The event included tastings, music, and conversations.
This event provided an opportunity for both the people living in the valley to come together and for people from different parts of the country and the world to witness this value.
This wasn't just an event; it was a story of the revival of a living heritage.