The Gümüşlük International Classical Music Festival, where you have been able to watch Juan Lago &amp; Balen Navarro and many concerts such as violin, cello and piano with bare feet at sunset and on the sand since July, will end on September 14 with the concert of Gülsin Onay and Bilkent Youth Symphony Orchestra. We met with Funda (Açıkbaş), the coordinator of the festival, to talk about the relationship between Gümüşlük and music on the sand. Funda suggested that we not miss Turgut Alp Bekiroğlu's project Love Jazz Quartet on September 6.<img src="https://images.aposto.com/2022/8/5/1662124896087.jpeg" width="550" style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px; vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" ratio="0.75" fr-original-style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">Funda AçıkbaşPhotography:&nbsp;Zekican Sarısoy<hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom-style: none; clear: both; -webkit-user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;">Why is Gümüşlük the centre of an international music festival? Is Gümüşlük a place that opens up a space for art?In the 1980s, Gümüşlük was a meeting place for painters, musicians, theatre actors, writers and poets who are known and respected in Turkey and even the world. That is why it is known as the 'artist village'. The artistic director of the festival, Eren Levendoğlu, who is also a pianist, decided to settle here. When he came to Gümüşlük, the historical Eklisia Chapel was in use as an international art centre. International projects involving different art disciplines such as music, dance, theatre, photography, sculpture and installation were held here between 1989 and 2007. In 2003, Eren initiated the Piano Festival under the artistic direction and supervision of Gülsin Onay, who is a state artist.The starting point of the festival is to contribute to their music careers by offering an alternative education to talented music students. The virtuosos invited for the master classes also started to give recitals in Eklisia Chapel, and this is how the Gümüşlük Music Festival, which turned into a nineteen-year international music festival, began. Today it covers jazz and all other music genres. For the last 3 years, such activities have been organised under the name of Yeşil Yaşam Gümüşlük and with the theme of sustainable life, which aims to raise environmental awareness.<img src="https://images.aposto.com/2022/8/5/1662124924061.jpeg" width="550" style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px; vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" ratio="1.50" fr-original-style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">On the beach of Gümüşlük, at the concert<hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom-style: none; clear: both; -webkit-user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;">There is also an 'artist residence' that is a part of the festival. What do you think this residence in Gümüşlük will bring to the artists and the neighbourhood?Artist residences are held in Gümüşlük simultaneously with the festival, which later becomes a part of the festival. So far, names such as Can Yücel, Tuncel Kurtiz, Nihat İleri, Civan Canova, Lale Müldür, Yaz, Poyraz, Efe, Fora Baltacıgil, Reyent Bölükbaşı, Ömer Uluç, Carlo Domeniconi, Yavuz Tanyeli, Bettina Franckenberg have come to the residence. At that time, there was no specific residence theme as today, and today the residence does not take place around a certain theme. It's kind of organic. One way or another, the artists we invite cannot leave here, or they come and stay here and start producing with the natural atmosphere of the Festival Center. In addition to the everyday life of Gümüşlük, the people, artists and students they meet here inspire them and offer them the opportunity to produce in a creative environment away from their daily routines. It becomes a source for unplanned projects that are not in their minds. Different ideas catch the attention of the neighbourhood and arouse the curiosity of the neighbourhood.<img src="https://images.aposto.com/2022/8/6/1662205722167.jpeg" style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" width="550" ratio="0.75" fr-original-style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">A teammate exhausted from festival preparations. <hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom-style: none; clear: both; -webkit-user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;">How do the locals view the festival? Is there such a thing as owning the festival or helping the festival team?According to Eren, the shopkeepers were warmer to the festival when Eklisia was performing their first concert nineteen years ago. 'There was a time when we got support from all the restaurants,' says Eren. At that time there was the Municipality of Gümüşlük —&nbsp;Gümüşlük had not yet been a district of Bodrum. So, it was easier to get support from the tradesmen. After the municipalities merged, it became harder.However, due to the change in Gümüşlük in recent years and the commercial approach of the new owners who took over the well-established places, this sense of togetherness has decreased slightly. If we could understand how a network created in the first years of the festival, where cultural tourism can be established together, would contribute positively to Gümüşlük, very good partnerships could be established with new owners. The old tradesmen of Gümüşlük (such as Onion Garlic, Hotel Gümüşlük, Myndos Hotel, Sysyphos Pansiyon) do their best in important items such as accommodation and meals for artists, which strain the festival budget. In fact, it is mostly personal support that has enabled the festival to survive from the very beginning. The people we call Festival Dostları (Festival Friends) are actually everyone who knows the old and quiet times of Gümüşlük.<img src="https://images.aposto.com/2022/8/5/1662124953553.jpeg" width="550" style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px; vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" ratio="1.50" fr-original-style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">A night time concert&nbsp;<hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom-style: none; clear: both; -webkit-user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;">To which stops in the neighbourhood are you a frequenter?Except for Tuz Duman Kumda, I think I mostly go to the municipality's kahve (café). There was also Faik'in Gahvesi in the past, whose owner changed this year, and when the owner changed, the kahve (café) changed its shape. Before everything got too expensive, that is, which was when we first moved here, we used to go to Hasan'ın Yeri, known as Gümüşlük Fish Cooking House&nbsp;now. And of course to Mars Café, where I can say that I am a frequenter. Mars Café was a real neighbourhood bar. The most enjoyable times there were the winter months. Unfortunately, we lost that too and now there is another bar in its place. I also think I am a regular at Yeni Hayat these days.

Soli

Do not miss Turgut Alp Bekiroğlu's project Love Jazz Quartet on September 6

STOP BY: Gümüşlük International Classical Music Festival


<h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">On Tuz Duman Kumda:&nbsp;</h2>We are walking towards the right side of Gümüşlük beach. Slippers in our hands; we feel the sea, sand, and pebbles in our bare feet. At the end of the road, Tuz Duman Kumda blinks at us with its wooden tables and chairs. On the left, there is the base of Gümüşlük Music Festival, a small working space surrounded by green, and a bar &amp; restaurant just a little further. It is self-served. We say hello from afar to <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/merhabacanimbentefo/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Tevfik (Mavioğlu)</a> and <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/ozgesomer/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Özge (Somer)</a>, the founders of Tuz Duman Kumda. They smile back and continue to work on their fish. We choose a table and bury our feet deep in sand, waiting for our conversation.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.aposto.com/2022/7/0/1661713839662.jpeg" width="550" style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px; vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" ratio="0.75" fr-original-style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">Tevfik tends to his fishPhoto: Rana Mengü <hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;">Tuz Duman Kumda has been open for a year, including the winter season. It’s a story that goes back to the roads that were crossed, and to a smoke infuser which was given as a present at Off Gümüşlük. In 2015 and 2018, Tevfik and Özge turned their wheels separately from Istanbul to Bodrum. We wonder as to the reason why.&nbsp;“Transition to Bodrum is easy, there is neither poverty nor much reminiscences of urban capitals. It is easy to migrate to Bodrum. Winters are serene, so peaceful when there are not a lot of people. Life is communal, everyone is helping each other out. In the wintertime, we made friends with the frequenters. Almost every individual has the same taste as each other, it is very often that you are an acquaintance of someone from the next table. This is a life that makes us feel at home.”Where is the name coming from? What makes you distinct?They burst into laughter immediately. Tevfik answers; “It was Funda‘s (Açıkbaş) idea. Tuz for salamura, duman&nbsp;for fume, and this is Cafe Kumda. Hence, the name turned out to be TuzDumanKumda (Meaning “at” Tuz Duman Kumda)" They are losing themselves while talking about it. "Everyone interprets the name in their own way, tuzda kumda (on salt and sand) tuzlu kumlu&nbsp;(with salt and sand)... The name keeps changing, giving way to a sweet togetherness, and we very much like it,” says Özge.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.aposto.com/2022/7/1/1661757518971.jpeg" width="550" style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px; vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" ratio="0.90" fr-original-style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">"Which one shall we start with?"Photo: Özge Somer&nbsp;<hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;">With its 9 different vegan mezzes, TuzDumanKumda is open the whole week 2 p.m - 10 p.m except Mondays. Plus, you don't have to eat or drink anything just because you arrived there. Its doors are wide open if you are just wishing for some swimming and laying down under the sun. They don't accept reservations and explain the reason behind their decision as follows,“There are many people who come back to the place but not many asking for a reservation. They don't feel like they have to as they can get whatever they want. And we appreciate the people who remember that TuzDumanKumda is self-served and bring back their empty dishes.” Laughter spreads amongst them. “It took hold here because it is a unique concept in this area,” remarks Özge.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.aposto.com/2022/7/0/1661714210571.jpeg" width="550" style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px; vertical-align: middle; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" ratio="0.75" fr-original-style="width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">Sun is above, peace spreadsPhoto: Rana Mengü <hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;">How is your relationship with frequenters at your place? we ask.&nbsp;“We are so happy that our target visitors are hooked on the place. They are very humane, they all are like one of us.”&nbsp;They have already said what could have been said about this place. We are now saying farewell to the day with the setting sun. Our orders, which are tripe with olive oil and sourdough bread, are on their way.

Aposto Istanbul

<hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;"><img src="https://images.aposto.com/2022/7/1/1661787062345.jpeg" style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" width="550" ratio="0.75" fr-original-style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">"Music will wake them up"<hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;">4- Music, sand, and dance altogether - <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.gumuslukfestival.org/en/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">International Gümüşlük Music Festival</a>What is it?&nbsp;Festival. An almost two-decades-long interdisciplinary music festival that is surrounded by nature and with music echoing through and beyond it.Where? Taş, Kumda, and Su districts of Gümüşlük&nbsp;When? Until September 6.Why should you go? To be immersed in the sound of cellos, piano, DJs, and many others before the night turns to day.&nbsp;Duly noted: Don't forget to stop by Tuz Duman Kumda!

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