Workshops
The three workshops in the Meeting Point: Gülpınar project formed the core of all activities that were carried out during the week. Even though each workshop was dealing with issues specific to that discipline, there was an underlying leitmotif that unites them all. In that sense, each course was also a means to document different aspects of life in Gülpınar. The idea was not only to be able to bring life force from a different source and of a different origin into the space of this particular village, but also to be able to find a way of bringing people from different backgrounds together in a working environment. All workshop courses were conceptualised as work in progress towards an end product(ion) in which the participants’ input were an important influence, certainly in shaping the very substance and quality of the end result. the aim was to achieve a lively environment suitable both for producing quality work and fruitful dialogue amongst those who work in all different disciplines.
Official language of the workshops is English.
In order to encourage interaction with the village, each workshop participant was expected to join a social work group. Social works included basic tasks such as picking up vegetables, watering plants, mowing grass, painting walls that will help the villagers in their daily burden, or assistance in preparation of the festival. There was a maximum of 3 hours of social work in the whole week.
Additionally, during the week site tours to the surrounding area were organised as recreational activities adding to the appreciation of the region. The programme also offered enough free time to engage the participants with each other and to let them enjoy a time spent on the Aegean coast.
Complementary Workshops
Cartoon: There is a village over there, even though we don’t write about it or draw a picture of it, is it still our village?*
Course Leader: Mehmet Çağçağ, Tuncay Akgün and Ramize Erer
Held together with the children and youngsters of Gülpınar, the workshop will focus on the contents and sources of humour. After the discussion sessions, the participating children will find situations in Gülpınar that could be subjected to humour. The process will be followed by converting these findings into cartoons.
*Translation from an anonymous Turkish song.
Complementary Workshops
Music
Course Leader: Çigdem Ergun
The workshop aimed at opening a new window to the children of the village who do not have a music teacher by gathering a children’s chorous. During the festival they worked on a small repertory which was shared with the village at the end of the week.
The course was lead by Çigdem Ergun, Instructor of Music Education Department at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University.
Creative Drama and Dance
Course Leader: Özlem Ergun
The workshop focussed on cognitive, perceptional and motor development of the children of the village, in combination with studies increasing the recognition of body and developing self awareness. The objective of the workshop was attained through a puppet production.
Özlem Ergun is teaching drama courses at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Primary School, Physical Education Department. The results of the course together with the Music Workshop will be presented at the last day of the week, at various locations in the village and end up in the village square.