BuIldIng Culture and Art Locally: EnvIronments, BelongIng, and SustaInabIlIty

Moderator: Doç. Dr. Ebru Nalan Sülün

Speakers: İpek Tuna Subaşı, Özcan Germiyanoğlu, Hülya Koloğlu, Serhat Öztürk, Yahya Göztepe

As part of Zero Gathering, the discussion session “Building Culture and Art Locally: Spaces, Belonging, and Continuity” was moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ebru Nalan Sülün. The event brought together key figures from the cultural and artistic landscape of Bozcaada and the North Aegean region, including artists, writers, and cultural leaders, to explore the historical development of culture and art on the island, methods for preserving cultural heritage, and future steps for cultural initiatives.

A major focus of the discussion was on how culture and art can be constructed in island geographies, with speakers sharing their personal experiences and insights. A comparative analysis was conducted between Ayvalık and Bozcaada, examining their mutual cultural and artistic evolution within the broader North Aegean context. The conversation also explored how seasonal coastal regions interact with contemporary art and local culture, as well as strategies to strengthen these connections.

Another key topic was the impact of Bozcaada’s first art gallery on the island’s cultural and social landscape. Speakers discussed the contributions of such initiatives and explored ways to further develop cultural enterprises in the future. The session also engaged in an in-depth discussion on how cultural transmission can be sustained over time, with a special emphasis on belonging and continuity in artistic and cultural practices.

September 23, 2024