Culture project prepared for Bodrum’s museum

BODRUM - Doğan News Agency

The museum’s Northern Moat will serve as a cultural center throughout the year. DHA photo

The Northern Moat of the Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, which is located in the Aegean province of Muğla’s popular holiday resort town, will serve as a concert and art events center with a 3 million euro project.

The moat currently hosts concerts and international shows in summer months. The project, developed in collaboration with Doğuş Group and Bodrum Municipality, aims to host these events all year round.
The project’s first step was taken last week at a press conference attended by Bodrum Mayor Mehmet Kocadon, Doğuş Group Executive Board Chairman Ferit Şahenk, Doğuş Group CEO Hüsnü Akhan, Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology Director Yaşar Yıldız and municipal officials.

Akhan said Bodrum had a vital environment to organize cultural events throughout the year. An international classical music festival organized every year in D-Marin Turgutreis had already become a tradition, he said. “All festivals and art events are organized in summer months. But when Mayor Kocadon said he wanted to broaden the tourist season to the whole year, we decided to support the Northern Moat project.”

Kocadon said the Bodrum Municipality had rights to use the North Moat until 2016. “Our goal is to draw tourists to Bodrum during the whole year. We will host many tourists in winter months thanks to this project,” he said, adding that they had to create alternative tourism opportunities in order to draw tourists 12 months a year. “The Northern Moat was one of these alternatives,” Kocadon said.
With the project, the capacity of the Northern Moat will be increased from 1,200 to 2,200 people and it will turn into a half-covered concert and show area.