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Babayan Culture House
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art
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Babayan Culture House
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art
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WELCOME
since 2006! In the Babayan Culture House, Cappadocia, Turkey you can stay in all seasons except for the months January, February and March. This former village farmhouse has comfortable cave rooms in an authentic Turkish village. The residency is the starting point for the most beautiful walkings in a fascinating nature. One can get inspired and make art or follow an art workshop in good studios. The Babayan Culture House is a professional community based art–residency and welcomes artists from all over the world. |
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CAPPADOCIA
Cappadocia is a surrealistic landscape with tufa stone valleys,
shaped centuries ago by the 'Erciyes' and other volcanoes. A part of this
40.000 square km area is a national park and an open–air museum with many
rock churches and monasteries, restored by UNESCO, because it is an
official world heritage area: Göreme National Park and the
Rock Sites of Cappadocia.On the – 1000 meter high – Anatolian Plateau, where the village is located, a severe land climate rules. This gives a dry heat in the summer and a bitter cold in the winter. Despite this, one can live here very well throughout the year, because the thick stones the houses are built with, are cut from volcanic tufa which keeps the climate outside. If a house is not heated, the temperature inside fluctuates during the year between seven and eighteen degrees Celsius. For this reason the region has been inhabited from times immemorial; and because the famous silk route passed by here, the area has a very rich cultural inheritance. |
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THE RESIDENCE BABAYAN
The residence of the Babayan Culture House is situated in the small historical village of Ibrahimpasa (the Greek name is Babayan) in Cappadocia, Central Anatolia in Turkey. The 200 hundred–year–old cavehouse was successively inhabited by Armenians, Greeks and Turks. The house has three terraces, an inside courtyard, rooms with arched ceilings and cave rooms. In May 2006 it openend itsdoors to share the cave residence with artists and other guests. Restoration took place under the guidance of the archaeological museum of the province Nevsehir. Pictures of the restoration. Three large (200 Kb each) airviews of Ibrahimpasa village. 
Some cave
rooms are large (50 m²) and boast a kitchenette and a well–facilitated
studio; other rooms profit from a large private balcony or terrace with
incredible views of the valley.The rooms have central heating and double glazed windows for colder days. You can bring your laptop computer because we have a wireless adsl–internet connection. Also we have an online computer available for general use. The Salon sitting room is a large arched room for common use with an open fireplace, a small library, a lazy corner, a reading and dinner table, and a kitchen where we can prepare your daily meals on request. Also a village meal from the Tandir (clay) oven can be enjoyed in our local restaurant. In neighboring villages one finds lots of good restaurants and bars. The Babayan Culture House – a Netherlands non–profit Foundation – organizes all art and culture activities together with your hosts Willemijn Bouman and Paul Broekman. Pictures of the house and rooms. Newsletters Babayan Culture House Foundation: 1 – August 2007, 2 – December 2007, 3 – December 2008, 4 – October 2009. |
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EXPLORING NATURE AND CULTURE
Cappadocia is an area where one can easily spend a number of weeks.
Daily walks take you through lovely valleys with views of old Christian
rock churches and painted pigeon'castles'.The world–famous open air museums of Göreme and Zelve can be visited. And you can swim in the nearby hot water springs of Bayramhaci, this visit can be combined with a lovely bbq. In the town of pottery, Avanos one can stroll along the river Kizilirmak (Red River). Our neighboring villages Ortahisar and Uchisar have high rocks (castles) which can be climbed from the inside and give a magnificent view of the bizarre landscape of Cappadocia. The underground cities (twelve levels below ground) of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu can be visited, as well as the green valley of Ihlara. Also bird watching ('Birds Paradise') in the salt lake near the volcano Erciyes is a possibility, as is horse riding in nature, swimming in a storage lake with blue clean water, and ballooning. Pictures of the trips and trekkings. Slideshow of 'Flower Power' in Cappadocian spring (photo's Willemijn):
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ART–MAKING AND WORKSHOPS
 From the house you walk directly into nature with its bizarre valleys and ancient open–air rock churches: the painted iconographic remains of Christianity. Donkey path's lead to several small historical villages nearby. In walking distance of the churches and monasteries one can endlessly wander around in green shaded valleys with small water streams running through. Take a look at some more pictures of the village in spring, summer, fall and winter. The spectacular surroundings of Babayan with its tufa stone shapes, bizarre rocks, painted churches and decorated pigeon houses, high as castles, are a good starting point for drawing, painting, photographing and sculpting on location. Also theatre–makers, writers and musicians are most welcome to join and exchange ideas with other artists. With all this as a starting point, one can join the workshops art; one can choose to take some lessons individually; or work independently on an art project in a private studio. A lunch can be provided or prepared by yourself at all times. Take a look at some working spaces and artists at work.
Visual artist Willemijn Bouman has developed a special teaching method for studying the 'primary form' in art in her workshops and lessons. She has been teaching this on all levels and for all disciplines and techniques since 1993. For more information about this artist you can visit her online resume. Music workshop Composer, band musician and jazz–guitarist Paul Broekman – who has an experience of more then thirty–five years – developed a music workshop for amateurs and professionals. A piano, conga's and amplifiers are ready to use on the small studio stage, and you can bring also your own instrument. More information about Pauls' music workshop can be found on his website, and you can apply for the workshop through the Babayan Culture House reservation form. Please join, the more music, the more fun!!
Others... But those who like to join their creative travel partner and prefer to do something else than making art, are welcome too. One can activily spend the day with walking in nature and by visiting the Cappadocian highlights. |
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HOW & WHAT
Flights, bookings and visaYour international flight to Cappadocia, Nevsehir (distance 30 km to our house) or Kayseri (distance 60 km to our house) can be booked at ones own travel agency with Turkish Airlines (THY). This might mean a transfer in Istanbul, and you can make a pleasant overnight stop there. They have a connecting a airport shuttle service from the local airport to Cappadocia (see transfer). If you look on the website of Turkish Airlines you will see only the upper end of the price range, unless you leave three months from now: don't be shocked by the prices, they go little down in time. You can obtain your visa online in advance. Turkish Visa Fees at Border Gates. Take care: The lowest prices are not available at travel agencies and airline companies until 3 months before departure date. Before that time prices are significantly higher. Especially the Turkish travel agencies have good promotional prices, but only three months before the proposed departure date. Also prices and schedules differ every season. During the off season period prices are cheaper. Internet information and charter bookings from Europe to Kayseri: Pegasus Airlines, Corendon, Onur Air, www.ticketturkije.com, www.komfly.com and wwb.wegolo.com. Be sure to fill in the dates as three months from now, otherwise you are unlikely to get the desired information. 
Transfer and taxiTurkish Airlines offers an airport shuttle service by Argeus Tour operator to our Ibrahimpasa village. Costs are around Euro 10. Other airlines can reserve an airport transfer to our Ibrahimpasa village by sending an email to: Heritage Travel. You can also take a regular airport taxi to our residency, but that fee is higher then when you make the transfer reservation in advance. A good alternative is the bus to Göreme (see info 'come by bus') from where it is a short taxi ride to the residency. Self drive to/in Cappadocia Having a rent–a–car at your disposal has advantages because of the vast area you are about to visit: 40.000 km². Most highlights can be visited in one holiday period. Some internet flight companies also offer fly–drive, you should shop around. If you decide to travel this way, the rental car will be waiting for you at the airport. Always double–check your reservation! The Babayan Culture House can supply you with an online road map, tailored to the airport you arrive at. But good tourist roadmaps are available at bookstores. The roads are good and sometimes even very good: there are many petrol stations along the way (prices are the same as in Europe), and because of this only a few Turkish use the roads, they are almost empty. Kayseri is 60 km from the house and is connected to Cappadocia by a brand new highway built by the Japanese. But the highway from Ankara is also good. Road restaurants can be found everywhere. Also, you can take the bus to Cappadocia (Göreme) and rent a car for the days required. You can make use of the service of a reliable and local rent–a–car company we work with, that brings the car to the residency and also picks it up again: the utmost freedom and service! Ask for the season rates and advantages. By bus to Cappadocia Bus from Ankara: Takes 5 hours. After your visit of the capital go to the large bus terminal in Ankara (ASTI). And buy your ticket with bus agency 'Nevsehirliler' destination Nevsehir, Göreme or Ürgüp. The agency will give you the number of the lane the bus departs from. At the terminal building there is a small bazaar (market) and restaurants. Or buy your ticket online in advance 'Nevsehirliler' online bus reservation. The price of the ticket will be around 20 Euro p/p, and is fixed. From your destination there it is a short drive by taxi to the Babayan Culture House. Bus from Kayseri: First a short transfer by the `Havas` airport service or taxi to the main bus station of Kayseri. There buy your ticket to Göreme or Ürgüp with bus company 'Nevsehirliler' or by 'Nevsehirliler' online bus reservation. This bus trip takes about one hour. From your end destination you can take a taxi to the Babayan Culture House. Weather and clothing. Cappadocia has a land climate: short hot summers (+40) and cold winters (–10) with snow. Keep in mind that in the summer the evenings can be cool too. In spring and fall it can rain firmly, so if you like walking bring strong water tight boots and at least one pair of trousers to prevent you being hurt by the hard grasses of the steppe. Because our village is very traditional we always ask every guest to wear decent and covered clothing. If you have questions about this, please send us an email. Ten day forecast for Cappadocia. Address: Paul & Willemijn (our names are at the door), Ibrahimpasa village No.161 (village and house number), Ürgüp, 50390 Nevsehir (region), Turkey. To be able to talk everything over, this is the Turkish Culture House phone number: +90 (0)384 3626231. You can phone cheaply or for free with Skype: willemijnbouman. |
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MAY WE INTRODUCE OURSELVES
Willemijn works and lives over twenty years in Cappadocia and Paul is also a professional jazz guitarist who performs more then thirty five years all over the world. They have traveled a lot through many countries and now became experienced in the Turkish culture and language. Through them you can meet the local villagers and farmers and share their ways (Willemijn's pictures). Send them an email!
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ACCOMODATION INFORMATION
Have a look at the rooms.
To inquire about the accomodation, the art workshops and activities, or to inform
about the availability of the rooms you can send us an email @.
Those who have walking disability should inquire first, because of the uneven dust and cobble roads in the village and the presence of stairs in the residency.
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'ARTIST–IN–RESIDENCE'
In the
Babayan Culture House, the cave apartments and studios offer a
special opportunity for making art. Here the Foundation Babayan Culture
House has created an art residency program for intercultural co–operation
between foreign, Turkish and Dutch artists interested in fine art,
contemporary art, environmental, exploratory site–specific and community
based arts.
Disciplines & Media: – Visual arts – Music – Installation / Performance / Theatre / Dance – New Media – Educational & awareness projects / programs Annual deadlines and open–call spaces are announced on the Babayan Culture House AiR page and the websites of Res Artis and TransArtists. Every year around twenty artists develop a proposed art project at location. A list of all participating artists can be found on the residency page. Intermediation: The Babayan Culture House works with professional Artist–in–Residency intermediating organizations and worldwide art residency networks: – TransArtists Foundation, – Res Artis. This art residency collaborates with: – NIHA–Ankara Netherlands Institute for Higher Education in Ankara, – Sioo Organisation studies & Organisational practice & Change processes in The Netherlands, – NIHA/KozaVisual social sciences and visual arts research group in Turkey, – The FabrikArtGroup organizer of the annual art festival in Cappadocia, – Caravansaray AiR in Istanbul, – Triangle Rock co–operating art–recidencies in rural Europe, – HAYAL theatre/art projects on the South coast of Turkey. |
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ABOUT THE ART–ECO PLATFORM CAPPADOCIA
To all artists concerning the Cappadocian region! The Art/Eco Platform Cappadocia is a growing cooperation between artists and organizations who concern unique and historical Cappadocia. By expressing themselves, visual artists, theatre makers and musicians, draw attention in a positive way to protect the vulnerable tufa stone environment from fast developing 'modern world' influences, such as lack of good wastewater and garbage solutions and the misuse of the environment of touristy developments.  Cappadocia is a cultural and historical area, still peaceful and away from a hectic modern world and a World Heritage site of Unesco. The presence of open air museums, beautiful landscapes filled with painted cave churches, pigeon houses and historical sites makes it well to study and to connect to. Breathtaking hand–carved architecture and 40.000 km2 of sculpturally shaped volcanic nature astonish the eye of everyone that enters. Cappadocia slowly starts to get open to the world –tourist area– with all kind of consequences for environmental infrastructure.
In association with the NIHAnkara (Netherlands Institute for Higher Education and its documentary and research department) we are programming a project for Water Management in Cappadocia that was initiated with a congress in January 2008. The Art/Eco Platform Cappadocia was launched! The Platform will be part of the awareness of this Water Management project and aims for ecological solutions that fit into this vulnerable volcanic environment. The village Ibrahimpasa/Babayan will be the wetland pilot (unique in Turkey) for this water project and is therefore going to be the center of artistic activity and cultural exchange of ideas, because professional artists will give their artistic commends on these developments... The following theme was starting point for Art Projects in 2008 and 2009: WATER! = BRIGHT?
SU! = PIRILTI? The Art/Eco Platform is the partnership of three art organizations/initiatives:
– 'Contemporary Art Festival Mustafapasa'. Open to artists of all disciplines and levels, One can follow workshops and exhibit your art works in the Old Greek University, the Kybele House and surrounding valleys. Annually one week in the summer. Organization by the members of the FabrikArtGroup. – 'Seten Cultural Center Göreme'. Organization by the cooperation of local art–supporting initiators and sponsors. – 'Göreme traditional music/theatre & local cultures Festivals'. Organization by Göreme Municipality & Tourist Cooperative. We ask artists to participate; and invite them to stay in the Babayan Culture House art residency by presenting an 'awareness by art' project, based on an ecological theme concerning the environment of Cappadocia. Go to the art–residency. Already many artists participated with a project in 2008 and in 2009. For now, the artists apply individual with their own budgeting, although the Art/Eco Platform is actively looking for funding and sponsorship possibilities. Notice this article written in Turkish with photographs of the visit of the Dutch Art Institute with five Master students and their professors Florian Götkke and Rebecca Sakoen, to the governor of Nevsehir. During this presentation the governor was questioned about the garbage and waste water problems in Ibrahimpasa. Also the students explained this presentation was initiated to result in an art project 2009 'Awareness by Art' Cappadocia – Water Re–sources. Read about 'MAINSTREAM awareness by art' – Ten professional artists working in Turkey and The Netherlands found each other on common ground in their concern for the shortage of drinking water and good sewerage systems in the world with a focus on Istanbul and Cappadocia. They present themselves by a portfolio with art works on water. Download the pdf–file (500 Kb – 9 pages) Art/Eco Platform Cappadocia Water Project 2008 with complete the information: aims, mission, strategy, objectives, impact, output, partners and sustainability. This document is of value when asking funding or sponsorship. All further project information about the Art/Eco Platform water project can be provided, so please ask for it. For sponsors we have a special brochure. Please join the Art/Eco Platform Cappadocia – member group to keep yourself up–dated! You need to login. 
EKOKAP – Towards an alternative and sustainable solution for wastewater
treatment in rural areas in Cappadocia: setting–up a constructed wetland
in Ibrahimpasa. Realization in cooperation with NIHAnkara. A 50.000 Euro
fund was given by Coca–Cola and UNDP to do research and to realize this
project in 2008 and 2009.Meetings and research have been started. Babayan Culture House residency artists responded with their art works to this EKOKAP project. The fund was unfortunately withdrawn for local administrational reasons. English pdf Türkçe pdf  |
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INFLUENCE OF CULTURAL TURKEY ON BOUMAN'S ART
Both the landscape and the volcano Erciyes are for Bouman a never–ending
inspirational source:
To see these art works please visit my Turkish painting gallery."  Exhibition Willemijn Bouman in the Adnan Franko Gallery in Izmir 2007
Latest news: From Paul Broekman I will have a series of exhibitions in Turkey with the title 'SILENT WITNESSES' (project) (pdf) and Work in Progress. Here you can see pictures of her latest solo exhibitions with those works in 'The Hague ArtCircle', The Netherlands in 2005 and in the 'Adnan Franko Gallery', Izmir in February 2007. Her next solo exhibition took place in March 2007 in the 'Netherlands Institute for Higher Education' NIHA in Ankara, Turkey. And in July 2008, she exhibited her work related to Water in the 3d Modern Art Festival in Mustafapasa.  Pictures of my Turkish art works My art–photographes about Turkish culture |
