Arts-And-Festivals-In-Antalya-And-The
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Arts and Festivals in Antalya and the Western Mediterranean Arts and culture have always been an integral part of the Antalya region and there is no doubt that they draw their strength and dynamism from their thousands of years of history. Surrounded by Kaş in the west, Gazipaşa in the east, Elmalı, Korkuteli and Akseki in the north, Antalya is flanked by the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea and has been witness to a remarkable past. Antalya was founded in the 2nd century BC on the orders of the king of Pergamon, Attalos II, who was seeking an earthly paradise. The city was established as “Attaleia” where Pamphylia, Pisidia and Lycia intersect—the location of the most fertile area of Anatolia. This area has witnessed several civilisations and has been a centre of culture, art, mythology and architecture throughout history. This distinction has continued until the present day. Juniper, cedar, pine forests as well as hundreds of endemic species that exist only in this region of the world, are found in Antalya. These fertile lands, richly endowed with a generous array of nature and a pleasant climate, have served as an important source of inspiration for artists. A mosaic found in the ancient city of Seleukia in the Manavgat district east of Antalya portrays the Thracian poet Orpheus, who, according to some sources, was the son of Apollo. This mosaic is housed in the Antalya Archaeological Museum and depicts a scene where the melodies emanating from his flute stop the flow of raging waters, and spellbind wild animals. Güldestan Çavuşçu Dam Antiocheia Yalvaç Lake Işıklı Beyond Antalya Adıgüzel Barajı Ertokuş Han Gelendost The Gulf of Antalya, located in southwest Anatolia, was known Uluborlu Mount Gelincik Senirkent Nature Park D330 Şarkikaraağaç in ancient days as the Gulf of Pamphylia. The mountain ranges Dinar encircling the Gulf run parallel to each other along the coast, but Barla Lake later intersect each other at the Lakes Region to the north. Eğirdir th Travelogues, especially those written in the 19 century by Gönen Atabey Western archaeologists, historians, artists, architects, sailors and Keçiborlu D695 geographers, refer to the nature around Antalya as “extraordinary.” D330 The depiction of Antalya’s natural environment by the 19th century Konya Eğirdir traveller Karl Lanckoronski is especially noteworthy: D330 Acıgöl D650 Aksu “Anyone who wants to witness the beauty of the mountainsDenizli should Lake Isparta Beyşehir come here. Mountains overlap each other as if in a hurry to reach Gölcük Davraz Ski Lake Nature Park Center D695 the sea. The harmony of every shade of green and blue dazzles Burdur Yenişarbademli Lake Gölcük the spectator and constantly changes with the daily path of the Burdur Akdağ Beyşehir Akgöl Sagalassos D715 sun. Waterfalls, rivers, date trees, minarets... In short, the imaginary D650 Lake Ağlasun Kovada Dedegöl depictions of magnificent landscapes by European authors can be D695 Kovada D695 National Park found here for real.” Hacılar D685 Lake Lake The famed Ottoman navigator Piri Reis outlines the ports he Yarışlı E87 Salda Lake Salda Pisidia Adada Salda Nature Park explored around the Gulf according to the geographic location of Çeltikçi Yeşilova D330 Kremna the rivers and mountains rising behind them, just as he did in other Sütçüler Karacaören areas of the Mediterranean. İncirhan Dam Yazılı Canyon Nature Park Niyazlar Bucak D715 Village Seydişehir In ancient times, the most familiar places located around the bay, D650 such as Pamphylia, Lycia, Pisidia and Isauria, enabled visitors to Lake Karamanlı Karataş Susuzhan enjoy the pristine environment and experience traditional ways of Kemer Ürkütlü life. In light of the accounts of explorers throughout the centuries, Köprüçay Tefenni D685 River those sightseeing trips provided plenty of opportunities for those E87 interested in nature and history to make their own observations. Selge D330 Hasanpaşa Cevizli Bademağacı Village Köprülü Canyon National Park Kibyra Gölhisar D695 Çavdır D650 D685 İbradı E87 Korkuteli Karain Lake Dipsiz Akseki E87 E87 Lake Pamphylia Çimi Village Altınbeşik Kırkgöz Kurşunlu Waterfall Döşemealtı National Park Altınyayla Termessos Termessos Nature Park National Park Sillyum Perge Aspendos Güver Canyon D400 Nature Park Aksu D350 Oymapınar Lake Eğri Dam Geyikbayırı Serik Antalya Seleucia D695 Kundu D635 Saklıkent Gündoğdu Çolaklı Belek Manavgat Boğazkent Evrenseki Alara Düden Dam Gündoğmuş Waterfall (Çündüre) Ilıca Waterfall Manavgat D400 Side Semahöyük D400 Kızılağaç Alara Beldibi Stream D350 Elmalı D400 Kızlar Sivrisi İncekum Fethiye Lake Yeşil Göynük Tekke Okurcalar Nature Park D400 Village Lake Avlan İncekum Yeşilbarak Village Avsallar Payallar Beydağları Kemer Turkler Korakesion D400 Akçay National Park Konaklı Alanya Akdağ Çığlıkara Oba Nature Park Lycia Dim Çamyuva Gömbe D635 Oba Stream Stream Arykanda Mount Çayboğazı Phaselis Kestel Pond Tahtalı Tekirova Pinara Mahmutlar D400 Saklıkent Sütleğen Gökbük National Park Village Village Syedra D635 Tlos Olympos Event Calendar of Antalya and the Western Mediterranean (Page 38) Rhodiapolis Kumluca Limyra D400 Xanthos Relevant Contacts (Page 40) Letoon D400 Gulf of Antalya D400 Mavikent Adrasan Beymelek Ision Nature Park Kalkan Kiddle Finike Karaöz Patara Bezirgan Myra Gazipaşa Village D400 Kaş Demre D400 Andriake Theimiussa D400 Kekova Cape Gelidonya Page 4 • Arts and Festivals in Antalya and the Western Mediterranean Aspendos Dazzling Ancient Theatres Ancient theatres are found almost every 25 kilometers throughout the region. Aspendos has been standing since the 5th century BC and has a dazzling history of 2500 years. The ancient theatre, with its superior acoustic quality, is host to a festival that has been held every year since 1994 and today has become a world-renowned event. The Aspendos International Opera and Ballet Festival is a visual feast that brings together artists and spectators from all over the world. Recognised among the world’s most foremost cultural festivals, this prestigious event features 10 spectacular shows which are spread from June until the middle of September. The founder of the Republic of Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, greatly admired by the Turkish people, came to the Aspendos theatre on his first visit to Antalya in 1930. Impressed by what he saw he gave the advice not to lock the gates of the theatre but to use it for shows, concerts and wrestling competitions. The citizens of Antalya heeded the advice of Atatürk and beginning in 1950, theatre productions and concerts were held in the Aspendos Ancient Theatre every spring. The people of Antalya brought delicious food prepared at home hours before the start of the events turning the place almost into a picnic area. Thus the first foundations of the country’s most prestigious film festival, the Golden Orange was laid - a festival which has continued nearly half a century. Page 6 • Arts and Festivals in Antalya and the Western Mediterranean Aspendos Page 9 • Arts and Festivals in Antalya and the Western Mediterranean As a result of this, in the first week of October the streets of Antalya are filled with the excitement of cinema besides the aroma of the city’s flora. The festival attracts more than two thousand local and international filmmakers, making a festive occasion for the citizens of Antalya and visitors during the entire week. The Golden Orange begins with a parade featuring famous film artists, and enraptures the city with the magic of cinema throughout its duration. The traditional location of the festival is the Atatürk Cultural Park Complex. The galas of Turkish and international films competing in the festival are held in the Aspendos Hall of the Atatürk Cultural Centre (AKM). Alongside the films in competition, films of world cinema status are shown, particularly those that have received awards in other festivals. Here you may be able to see a premiere of a film, and witness the hustle and bustle of moviegoers as they go from one session to another. Filmmakers from Turkish and international cinema participate in panel discussions, meetings and workshops that highlight the reputation of the festival. The Antalya Culture and Arts Foundation (AKSAV), which organises this cherished festival, also gives out the annual Turkish Television altinportakal.org.tr Awards every April. These awards are judged by an esteemed jury. The Orange Symbolising the City and Cinema The seeds of the Golden Orange Film Festival were first sown in the romantic atmosphere of the Aspendos Ancient Theatre. This festival is organised by the Antalya Culture and Arts Foundation (AKSAV) with the support of the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality. The Golden Orange Film Festival which gained international status in 2007, has been vital in the support of the arts in our country and has proudly carried on this mission for more than half a century. This gilded festival, which adopted the orange as its symbol, has encouraged many young filmmakers and has also provided independent filmmakers with financial grants. It has become one of the foremost driving forces of the country’s film industry. Page 10 • Arts and Festivals in Antalya and the Western Mediterranean Concerts in the Charming Atmosphere of Ancient Theatres Another festival is held at Side, another ancient Many famous ensembles and soloists have theatre some 70 kilometers east of Antalya. participated in these series of concerts, notably the Antalya State Symphony Orchestra and Antalya This ancient theatre was built at the narrowest State Opera and Ballet. The Side International point of the ancient city of Side, situated next to Culture and Art Festival was accepted into the Manavgat district. It almost embraces its guests European Festivals Association in 2010. To date, by meeting them at the entrance of the town. the festival has welcomed the Berlin Symphony The ancient theatre has a captivating glory, and Chamber Orchestra, the Beijing Symphony findings reveal that it has always been used for Orchestra, the Marphe String Quartet and the ‘Ten the same purpose as it is today. We know that of the Best Trumpets’ ensemble, as well as many it was built during the middle of the 2nd century.