Pastoral Life in Yaniklar Village
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When we think of life in the countryside we use words such as pastoral, natural, traditional, handmade and include architecture that fits with the landscape. Years ago an architect, Ahmet Kizen, settled in YanIklar village and started the local 'Pastoral Life' project with his own eco-farm. His aims were to spread understanding of organic farming; to preserve the natural environment; to revive traditional aspects of village culture as an alternative to a stressful twentieth century lifestyle. He has built houses of stone, wood and mud-brick where guests can stay; encouraged recycling and the use of sustainable energy sources. He is determined to preserve and revive the best of traditional culture.
He soon found partners at Yonca Lodge, a small, family-owned pension on the beach in the same village. They were already hosting an international project to monitor the mating habits of loggerhead turtles and shared Ahmet's vision of a future for the village. 25 growers in the village have now signed up to organic farming and their fruit and vegetables are not only sold in local markets but also as far away as Istanbul in the Şişli Eco Market, and in a range of shops.
'Village pension' style accommodation can be found at both Ahmet's farm, Pastoral Valley, and at Yonca Lodge, with both sites offering accommodation in buildings designed on ecological principles and constructed from stone, wood, mud-brick and other natural materials. Kitchens at both establishments use organic ingredients to produce tasty meals. Guests can take part in a range of workshops and activities including: kilim weaving; making clay pots; local walks; going out with local fishermen to help bring in the catch. The next stage is to develop the concept of staying in village houses and, in this way, to develop an alternative tourism model which will bring much-needed employment and income into the village.
Growing organically not only produces the best foodstuffs but also preserves the purity of the air, water, soil and protects the flora and fauna. Having guests staying in village houses offers a two-way process of broadening minds and understanding as guests meet and converse with their hosts. This tourism model gives an opportunity for people from cities to come and form friendships with people in the village. Accommodation can be rented for long periods if that is what clients want, then they can really benefit from the good food and stress-free lifestyle. You could spend 1 - 2 months per year, without having to buy a property, enjoying the natural beauties and climate of the Mediterranean. By renting in existing properties land is not lost to development but remains available for agricultural use, concretisation is held at bay.
Further developments in the village are being planned. A project which will document the range of flora and fauna in the village is currently being prepared as are other plans to undertake more capacity building with the villagers. In this context, with the support of the muhtar, an English couple living in the village are now in their third winter of giving free English lessons to anyone who lives or works in Yaniklar.
Pastoral Valley and Yonca Lodge are both members of Turkish national eco organisations Buğday and TaTuTa.
So if you are ready to escape the stress of city life and benefit from the relaxed lifestyle in a traditional village, learn new skills or even become involved with local projects in Yaniklar, take a look at either of the websites below and we look forward to welcoming you to the village.
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