Kars, Turkey
Ottoman Heritage in Eastern Turkey
The renovated Namik Kemal Community Center.
GHF led and funded vitally-important community development projects. GHF created a dynamic new program in Kars for cultural revitalization and preservation, community involvement, multi-cultural exchange, pluralism and promotion of diverse, living cultures- arguably the most visible cultural initiative in the region today.
The house in which Namik Kemal, a famed Turkish poet, lived received the most attention and was ultimately rebuilt and turned into a community center complete with offices, workspace and meeting rooms.
A great deal of training has been achieved both directly and indirectly. Key members of the Kars Municipality and Community were trained in historic preservation and local conservation capacity was raised to international standards. The projects have employed over 120 Turkish professional and workers. The local people have also gained a respect and appreciation of the historic Ottoman district.
The local population has followed and now understands and respects the aims of the project with both interest and excitement. In the past there has been little civic pride in the older aspects of the built environment. In a real way, history here started in 1924 with the formation of the modern Turkish State.
The establishment of the Kars Historic District as the #2 Tourism Destination in the region after Ani has received national recognition and over forty newspaper articles. A Tursab Turkish and international tourism association Kars Conference hosted over 120 operators in Istanbul in December, 2005. GHF’s partnership with the Kars Municipality has brought about a large local government commitment to the development of both the Historic District and the city of Kars. The Municipality has invested significant resources to purchase the most important historic structures in the Kaleici district to ensure protection and conservation. The Kars Municipality has also made significant improvements to city infrastructure through newly paved streets, utilities, pathways and parks, public spaces and lighting.
