The masters of the cinema world, who came together under the roof of Etki Association at the International Manavgat Crete to Side Culture and Flavor Festival hosted by Manavgat Municipality, brought an intellectual perspective to Side's transformation into a city reborn with culture, art and gastronomy.
On the second day of the festival, in the talk titled “The New Narrative of Side” held on the stage set up in the Temple of Apollo, Actors Güven Kıraç and Ebru Koralı, founders of the Etki Association, and directors Serdar Akar and Vedat Atasoy emphasized that the Manavgat Municipality has signed a “gastrodiplomatic” organization that has few examples in Türkiye, and traced the migrations and interactions in the Mediterranean basin. Examining the issues of identity and cultural memory, strategic transformation and participation, the artist members of the Etki Association emphasized that culture, art and gastronomy are not just products offered to visitors, but tools that make the spirit of a city visible.
“Side also wants to be the city of newly talked about stories”
Actress Ebru Koralı, who also moderated the talk, said, “Side wants to be a city not only of the sea and the sun, but also of newly spoken stories. The locomotive of this transformation should definitely be production with culture and art content. There should be music, literature, local festivals. These are tools that make tourists not just guests but also partners in the story.”
Ebru Koralı, who examined what will change with the integration of public art and cultural events with Side's cultural heritage, said, “The route of culture and art buyers turns to Side. Side becomes a more value-added tourism destination on a global scale. A story is needed to establish a connection with a city. Artworks in public spaces, especially those that feed on local texture, leave a unique mark on the tourist's mind about that city. Today's travelers want to document their experiences. Aesthetically strong street art increases the visibility of the destination with frames shared on social media. Since art is not something that is just looked at, but something that is included, the tourist's experience is transformed. The period called the tourism season disappears. It becomes a preferred destination 12 months a year. When we look from this perspective, Side is no longer a holiday resort, but a narrative area. A city that speaks with its history, connects with its tables, and has art on its streets.”
“It is possible to create an agenda focused on culture and art”
Actor Güven Kıraç stated that Side is an ancient settlement that bears the traces of culture with its ancient ruins, theaters and temples, and that the city's history was shaped by people who migrated from Crete.
Güven Kıraç, who stated that it is time for Side to transform with culture and art for its future, said, “By increasing investments in culture and art, by creating an agenda full of events, we can fully utilize Side’s potential with a tourism approach that is not only sea, sand and sun but also spread throughout the 12 months of the year. In this way, hotels will be full and the density will never decrease. Maintaining Side’s charm every month of the year will keep the region constantly alive and provide visitors with reasons to come here for 12 months. A jazz festival in September, another event in August, a different organization in October… It is possible to create an agenda focused on culture and art. We can introduce the rich culture and history of this place in every aspect with events such as gastronomy, theater festivals, cinema days, sculpture symposiums, and painting exhibitions.”
Güven Kıraç announced that as Etki Association, they are ready to cooperate in any project to promote Side through art and culture.
“We found very interesting and impressive stories in Side, we will shoot a movie”
Director Serdar Akar also said that the power of cinema has a great effect on the promotion of cities and that they will shoot one of the very interesting and impressive stories they found in Side as a movie. Serdar Akar said, “Cinema not only attracts tourists, but also introduces the cultures of that city to the world. As we all know, seeing Europe, spending time in Paris or Rome is a dream for many people. Because these cities are identified with history, culture and art. Side is exactly such a place. It is like an open-air museum, like we are on a plateau. As an artist, I believe that Side can flourish with culture and art. Because we are right next to the Temple of Apollo; in other words, in this city where art and the god of the artist are, art should be at the center of everything.”
“Side now has the right food, quality venues and a fascinating cultural infrastructure”
Director Vedat Atasoy drew attention to the fact that big cities and popular tourism destinations strongly promote their own identities. Stating that cinema will be an effective tool in promoting Side, Vedat Atasoy said, “When people come to a place, they do not only want to have a vacation, they also want to experience the culture and art of that place. If we can further develop Side’s cultural and artistic life, we can make this city much more attractive.” Drawing attention to the fact that the people living and managing Side are visionary is the city’s greatest chance, Vedat Atasoy said, “Side now has the right food, quality venues and a fascinating cultural infrastructure. However, this needs to be constantly improved. In other words, there should not be an event held just last year, but new and more advanced events every year. This will constantly increase the quality of Side.”
At the end of the talk, the festival's host, Manavgat Mayor Dr. Niyazi Nefi Kara, thanked the members of the Impact Association by giving them plaques.
