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Babayan Culture House
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guesthouse / mýsafýr evi
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art / kültür, sanat
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Babayan Culture House
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guesthouse / mýsafýr evi
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art / kültür, sanat
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WELCOME / HOß GELDÝNÝZ
THE ART-RESIDENCY AND GUESTHOUSE BABAYAN OPENED IT'S DOORS IN 2006!
(see recent pictures / evimizin fotoðraflarý)
In the Guesthouse of the Babayan Culture House, Cappadocia, Turkey you can stay throughout the year
in comfortable cave rooms in a small Turkish village.
The guesthouse is the starting point for the most beautiful walkings in a fascinating nature.
One can be inspired and make art or follow courses and workshops in good studios. |
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CAPPADOCIA
Cappadocia is a surrealistic landscape with tufa stone valleys, shaped centuries ago by the 'Erciyes' and other
volcanoes. A part of this 40.000 square km area is a national park and an open-air museum with many rock
churches and monasteries, restored by UNESCO, because it is an official world heritage area: Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia.On the – 1000 meter high – Anatolian Plateau, where the village is located, a severe land climate rules. This gives a dry heat in the summer and a bitter cold in the winter. Despite this, one can live here very well throughout the year, because the thick stones the houses are built with, are cut from volcanic tufa which keeps the climate outside. If a house is not heated, the temperature inside fluctuates during the year between seven and eighteen degrees Celsius. For this reason the region has been inhabited from times immemorial; and because the famous silk route passed by here, the area has a very rich cultural inheritance. |
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THE GUESTHOUSE BABAYAN
The guesthouse of Babayan Culture House is situated in the small historical village of Ibrahimpasa (the Armenian name is Babayan) in Cappadocia, Central Anatolia in Turkey. We are the only place in the village with rooms available. The 200 hundred–year–old house was successively inhabited by Armenians, Greeks and Turks. The guesthouse has three terraces, an inside courtyard, rooms with arched ceilings and cave rooms. In May 2006 its doors were opened. The six cave rooms are comfortable double guestrooms with shower and toilet facilities. Restoration took place under the guidance of the archaeological museum of the region of Nevsehir. Look at three large (200 Kb each) airviews of the village. 
Some cave rooms are large (50 m²) and boast a kitchenette and a well–facilitated studio;
other rooms profit from a large private balcony or terrace with incredible views of the valley.The rooms have central heating and double glazed windows for winter guests. You can bring your laptop computer because we have a wireless adsl-internet connection. Also we have an online computer available for general use. The Salon sitting room is a large arched ceiling room for common use with an open fireplace, a small library, a lazy corner, a reading and dinner table, and a kitchen where our cook prepares your daily meals on request. Guests can subscribe to a daily lunch or dinner. Breakfast is included in the room rates. Also good meals can be prepared by the village women in their Tandir (clay) oven. You are personally invited into their homes to have dinner with them. In neighboring villages one can find lots of good restaurants and bars. There is also the possibility to book for an overnight Gourmet Dinner Arrangement. You can read all about it in this Gourmet Dinner (pdf) text. The guesthouse can't accept children younger than 15 years of age. The Babayan Culture House Foundation organizes the guesthouse and bookings, and the art and cultural programs. The art workshops and daily activities are organized by your hosts Willemijn Bouman and Paul Broekman. Pictures of the house and rooms / Odanýn fotoðraflarý. Newsletters Babayan Culture House Foundation: 1 – August 2007, 2 – December 2007, 3 – December 2008, 4 – October 2009. |
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NATURE WALKINGS AND EXCURSIONS
Cappadocia is an area where one can easily spend a number of weeks. Daily walks take you through lovely valleys
with views of old Christian rock churches and painted pigeon'castles'.The world–famous open air museums of Göreme and Zelve will be visited. And you can swim in the nearby hot water springs of Bayramhaci, this visit can be combined with a lovely bbq. In the town of pottery, Avanos, along the river Kizilirmak (Red River), one can enjoy eating all kinds of delightful fish served outside on floating terraces. The neighboring villages of Ortahisar and Uchisar have high rocks (castles) which can be climbed from the inside and give a magnificent view of the bizarre landscape of Cappadocia. The underground cities (twelve levels below ground) of Kaymakli and Derinkuyu will be visited, as well as the green valley of Ihlara. Also bird watching ('birds paradise' in the salt lake near the volcano Erciyes) is a possibility, as is horse riding in nature, swimming in a storage lake with blue clean water, and ballooning. With the participating guests a daily program based on their wishes will be filled in. Pictures of the trips and trekkings / Yürüþ ve manzaralarýnýn resimleri Slideshow of 'Flower Power' in Cappadocian spring (photo's Willemijn):
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ART–MAKING AND WORKSHOPS
 From the house you walk directly into nature with its bizarre valleys and ancient open–air rock churches: the painted iconographic remains of Christianity. Donkey path's lead to several small historical villages nearby. In walking distance of the churches and monasteries one can endlessly wander around in green shaded valleys with small water streams running through. Take a look at some more pictures of the village in spring, summer, fall and winter / köyümüzün fotoðraflarý Ýlk bahar, yaz, sonbahar, kýþta The spectacular surroundings of Babayan with its tufa stone shapes, bizarre rocks, painted churches and decorated pigeon houses, high as castles, are a good starting point for drawing, painting, photographing and sculpting on location. Also theatre-makers, writers and musicians are most welcome to join and exchange ideas with other artists. With all this as a starting point, one can join the workshops art; one can choose to take some lessons individually; or work independently on an art project in a private studio. A lunch can be provided or prepared by yourself at all times. Take a look at some working spaces and artists at work.
Visual artist Willemijn Bouman has developed a special teaching method for studying the 'primary form' in art in her workshops and lessons / resim workshoplar ve dersleri. She has been teaching this on all levels and for all disciplines and techniques since 1993. For more information about this artist you can visit her online resume. Music workshop Composer, band musician and jazz–guitarist Paul Broekman – who has an experience of more then thirty–five years – developed a music workshop for amateurs and professionals. A piano, conga's and (singing) amplifiers are ready to use on the small studio stage, and you can bring also your own instrument. More information about Pauls' music workshop can be found on his website, and you can apply for the workshop through the Babayan Culture House reservation form. Please join, the more music, the better!!
Others... But those who like to join their creative travel partner and prefer to do something else than making art, are also most welcome. There are lots of possibilities to spend the day. What do you think of reading books, walking in nature, or: 'doing absolutely nothing...' |
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HOW & WHAT
Flights and bookings
The flight to Cappadocia can be booked at ones own travel agency, which will also advise about a cheap fly–drive (flight + rent a car) to Ankara (distance 300 km) or Kayseri (distance 60 km). Take Care: The lowest prices are not available at travel agencies and airline companies until 3 months before departure date. Before that time prices are significantly higher. Especially the Turkish travel agencies have good promotional prices, ut only three months before the proposed departure date. It is best to opt for a flight which arrives at ones destination in the morning or afternoon. Cheaper flights (Sultan Air, Pegasus Airlines, Onur Air, Fly Air) sometimes arrive late in the evening or make last minute changes to the time schedule. You can fly 1 x week by charter in all seasons to Kayseri, but prices and schedules differ every season. During the Ramadan period prices are cheaper. Summer bookings and fly–drives only take place to Ankara. Internet information and charter bookings for Onur Air, Turkuaz Airlines and Pegasus Air: www.ticketturkije.com, www.ticketpot.com en www.komfly.com. Be sure to fill in the dates as three months from now, otherwise you are unlikely to get the desired information. Turkish Airlines has a daily flight to Kayseri and it is comfortable, but costs more than the charter flights: up from € 400 p/p. They have a connecting a airport shuttle service you can reserve on line from the airport to Cappadocia (see transfer). If you look on the website of THY (Turkish Airlines) you will see only the upper end of the price range, unless you leave three months from now: don't be shocked by the prices, they go little down in time. 
Transfer and taxi
Turkish Airlines offers a airport shuttle service by Argeus touroperators to the place of destination. Costs are around € 10. Other airlines don't provide this service. But you can also take a taxi to my guesthouse; this will cost around € 50 which you have to barging on, leave the taximeter of, but can be convenient if you are traveling with a number of people or with a lot of (artists) luggage. A good alternative is the bus to Göreme (see info 'come by bus') from where it is a short taxi ride to the residency. Self drive to/in Cappadocia Having a rent–a–car at your disposal has advantages because of the vast area you are about to visit: 40.000 km². Most highlights can be visited in one holiday period. Some internet flight companies also offer fly–drive, you should shop around. If you decide to travel this way, the rental car will be waiting for you at the airport. Always double–check your reservation! The Babayan Culture House can supply you with an online roadmap, tailored to the airport you arrive at. But good tourist roadmaps are available at bookstores. The roads are good and sometimes even very good: there are many petrol stations along the way (prices are the same as in Europe), and because of this only a few Turkish use the roads, they are almost empty. Kayseri is 60 km from the house and is connected to Cappadocia by a brand new highway built by the Japanese. But the highway from Ankara is also good. Road restaurants can be found everywhere. Also, you can take the bus to Cappadocia (Göreme) and rent a car for the days required. You can make use of the service of a reliable and local rent-a-car company we work with, that brings the car to the guesthouse and also picks it up again: the utmost freedom and service! Ask for the season rates and advantages. By bus to Cappadocia Bus from Ankara: If you prefer not to drive, fly to Ankara (Esenboga) and take the 'Havas' airport bus, a scheduled service bus which leaves from outside the airport doors every ½ hour. It brings you directly to the large bus terminal in Ankara. You can take a taxi for this part of the trip but it costs. This option can be convenient if you have a lot to carry (artists). 
In the terminal go to the first floor and look for the bus agencies 'Nevsehir' or 'Göreme' (there are porters,
they will ask to be paid). These agencies are in a long and colorful row of small counters, take your time to find them.
Only buy at the counter or you may have to pay commission.Take the first bus that leaves, there is no preference for a company, they are all good. Buy your ticket to Nevsehir, Göreme or Ürgüp. The agency will give you the number of the lane the bus departs from. The price of the ticket will be around 15 Euro p/p, and is fixed. Online reservation. At the terminal building there is a small bazaar (market) and restaurants. During the trip there is a half hour break to eat. The trip takes 4½ hours and the view of the landscape of Central Anatolia is beautiful. Your destination can be Nevsehir, Ürgüp or Göreme. From there a short drive by taxi to the residency. You may be offered a small mini-bus transfer from Nevsehir to Göreme, but by this stage you will feel confident about traveling in Turkey and, if you need to ask, most people speak a little English. Bus from Kayseri: First a short transfer by the `Havas` airport service or taxi to the main bus station of Kayseri. Than make a reservation for Göreme or Ürgüp on one of the bus companies, they almost go every hour. Online reservation. This bus trip should take you no more than an hour. From your end destination you can take a taxi or your rent-a-car to the Babayan Culture House. Our address: Paul & Willemijn, Kültür Evi Babayan / Culture House Babayan, No.161 Cevriye Sokak (street), Ibrahimpasa Köyü (village), Ürgüp (region), 50390 Nevsehir (province), Turkey. To be able to talk everything over, this is the Turkish Culture House phone number: +90 (0)384 3626231. You can phone cheaply or for free with Skype and VoipBuster, find: willemijnbouman and dial. and this our Turkish mobile phone: 05 385795005. |
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MAY WE INTRODUCE
OURSELVES / MEMNUN OLDUM!
The art workshops and daily activities are organized by your hosts Willemijn Bouman and Paul Broekman both professional visual artists. Willemijn works and lives over twenty years in Cappadocia and Paul is also a professional jazz guitarist who performs thirty five years all over the world. They have traveled a lot through many countries and now became experienced in the Turkish culture and language. Through them you can meet the local villagers and farmers and their habits (Willemijn's pictures). Send them mail! |
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ACCOMODATION INFORMATION / ODALARIN DANIÞMASI
To inquire about the accomodation, the workshops, and walkings, or to inform yourself about the availability of the rooms you can send us an email @.The 2010 bookings have already been started! |
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'ARTIST–IN–RESIDENCE'
In the Babayan Culture House, the cave apartments and studios offer a
special opportunity for making art. Here the Foundation Babayan Culture House has created an art residency program
for intercultural co–operation between foreign, Turkish and Dutch artists interested in fine art, contemporary art, environmental,
exploratory site-specific and community based arts.
Disciplines and media: – Visual arts – Music – Installation / Performance / Theatre / Dance – New Media – Educational & awareness projects / programs Deadline for an art residency 2010 application: January 31st, 2010. Application form can be downloaded from the next page, but first read all the information. |
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ABOUT THE ART—ECO PLATFORM CAPPADOCIA / ART—ECO PLATFORM KAPADOKYA HAKKINDA
To all artists concerning the Cappadocian region! The Art/Eco Platform Cappadocia is a growing cooperation between artists and organizations who concern unique and historical Cappadocia. By expressing themselves, visual artists, theatre makers and musicians, draw attention in a positive way to protect the vulnerable tufa stone environment from fast developing 'modern world' influences, such as lack of good wastewater and garbage solutions and the misuse of the environment of touristy developments. 
Cappadocia is a cultural and historical area, still peaceful and away from a hectic modern world and a World Heritage site of Unesco. The presence of open air museums, beautiful landscapes filled with painted cave churches, pigeon houses and historical sites makes it well to study and to connect to. Breathtaking hand-carved architecture and 40.000 km2 of sculpturally shaped volcanic nature astonish the eye of everyone that enters. Cappadocia slowly starts to get open to the world -tourist area- with all kind of consequences for environmental infrastructure.
In association with the NIHAnkara (Netherlands Institute for Higher Education and its documentary and research department) we are programming a project for Water Management in Cappadocia that was initiated with a congress in January 2008. The Art/Eco Platform Cappadocia was launched! The Platform will be part of the awareness of this Water Management project and aims for ecological solutions that fit into this vulnerable volcanic environment. The village Ibrahimpasa/Babayan will be the wetland pilot (unique in Turkey) for this water project and is therefore going to be the center of artistic activity and cultural exchange of ideas, because professional artists will give their artistic commends on these developments... The following theme is starting point for Art Projects in 2008/9:
WATER! = BRIGHT?
SU! = PIRILTI?
The Art/Eco Platform is the partnership of three art organizations/initiatives:
– 'Contemporary Art Festival Mustafapasa'. Open to artists of all disciplines and levels, One can follow workshops and exhibit your art works in the Old Greek University, the Kybele House and surrounding valleys. Annually one week in the summer. Organization by the members of the FabrikArtGroup. – 'International Avanos Applied Ceramics Symposium'. Organization by the cooperation of Avanos Municipality & Erciyes University: Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Ceramics & Avanos Art and Culture Association. – 'Göreme traditional music/theatre & local cultures Festival'. Organization by Göreme Municipality & Tourist Cooperative. We ask artists to participate; and invite them to stay in the Culture House Babayan by planning a period and by presenting a project, based on a ecological theme for the surrounding of Cappadocia. Already many artists participated with a project in 2008 and in 2009. For now, the artists apply individual with their own budgeting, although the Art/Eco Platform is actively looking for funding and sponsorship possibilities. Notice this article written in Turkish with photographs of the visit of the Dutch Art Institute with five Master students and their professors Florian Götkke and Rebecca Sakoen, to the governor of Nevsehir. During this presentation the governor was questioned about the garbage and waste water problems in Ibrahimpasa. Also the students explained this presentation was initiated to result in an art project 2009 'Awareness by Art' Cappadocia – Water Re–sources. Read about 'MAINSTREAM awareness by art' – Ten professional artists working in Turkey and The Netherlands found each other on common ground in their concern for the shortage of drinking water and good sewerage systems in the world with a focus on Istanbul and Cappadocia. They present themselves by a portfolio with art works on water. Download the pdf-file (500 Kb – 9 pages) Art/Eco Platform Cappadocia Water Project 2008 with complete the information: aims, mission, strategy, objectives, impact, output, partners and sustainability. This document is of value when asking funding or sponsorship. All further project information about the Art/Eco Platform water project can be provided, so please ask for it. For sponsors we have a special brochure. Please join the Art/Eco Platform Cappadocia – member group to keep yourself up-dated! You need to login. 
EKOKAP – Towards an alternative and sustainable solution for wastewater treatment in rural areas in
Cappadocia: setting-up a constructed wetland in Ibrahimpasa. Realization in cooperation with NIHAnkara.
A 50.000 Euro fund has been given by Coca–Cola and UNDP to do research and to realize this project in 2008 and 2009.Meetings and research have been started. Babayan Culture House residency artists are already reacting with their art works to the EKOKAP project. English pdf Türkçe pdf  |
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INFLUENCE OF CULTURAL TURKEY ON BOUMAN'S ART
Both the landscape and the volcano Erciyes are for Bouman a never–ending inspirational source:
The alienation that is evoked by this environment, once shaped by that volcano, is what I want to express in my artwork. Also, I work on a series of large mixed-media drawings on paper, with a Turkish wedding of a very young farmers daughter as my subject. The blackness in the drawings is my personal way of expressing the contradictions in the Turkish culture which nowadays still lead to forced and painful situations like this. To see these art works please visit my Turkish painting gallery." 
Exhibition Willemijn Bouman in the Adnan Franko Gallery in Izmir 2007
Here you can see pictures / Önceki sergimin fotoðraflarý Hollanda'da ve Ýzmir'de of her latest solo exhibitions with those works in 'The Hague ArtCircle', The Netherlands in 2005 and in the 'Adnan Franko Gallery', Izmir in February 2007. Her next solo exhibition took place in March 2007 in the 'Netherlands Institute for Higher Education' NIHA in Ankara, Turkey. And in July 2008, she exhibited her work related to Water in the 3d Modern Art Festival in Mustafapasa. 'HABER 50' Gazetesi, Willemijn hakkinda ne yazýyor? >> devam  Pictures of my Turkish art works / Resimlerin fotoðraflarý My art–photographes about Turkish culture / Benim Türk Kültürün Fotoðraflarý |
