Village of Gratitude prepares for art fest

KONYA - Anatolia News Agency

The Village of Gratitude gives artists the opportunity to reside in adobe houses like those of the local people in Konya’s Çavuş district. 15 houses are stil in construction.

The “Village of Gratitude,” established for artists in the Hüyük district of Konya Province, is preparing for its international art days. This year, the festival’s mostly artistic activities will take on an international dimension, and will take place Aug. 24-28.

An opening ceremony for the Village of Gratitude will take place after Ramadan, and on Aug. 26, a World Artists’ Meeting will be held. Workshops will be held under the leadership of Professor Orhan Cebrailoğlu of Selçuk University and 30 participating artists from various countries. A portrait workshop is planned with the support of 100 foreign artists.

40th anniversary of municipality

Every day of the festival between 4 and 5 p.m., artists Rüzgar Fidan and Batbuyana Tchernega will make portraits in the festival area. Many films will also be shown, and 40 activities will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Çavuş Municipality. The festival will also feature symposiums, panels and concerts.

The Village of Gratitude gives artists the opportunity to reside in adobe houses like those of the local people in the heart of Anatolia. Artists in the village spend specific times of the year in their private homes far from the hustle and bustle of city life. The village consists of adobe houses built for the artists by Çavuş Municipality in the style of local Seljuk architecture. The construction of 22 of the village’s adobe houses has been completed, and 15 others are still under construction.

Village residents come from Turkey and elsewhere, and include musicians, directors, artists, designers, archaeologists, journalists, sculptors, and cinema and television actors.