Proceedings of the International Conference on Art Studies
Year: 2024
DOI:
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The City of Music Kırsehir and Cultural Sustainability
Aybuke Dogan
ABSTRACT:
Kırsehir, a small Anatolian city in Turkey, is distinguished by its enduring folk culture, which has survived thanks to the master-apprentice relationship, dating back to the Ottoman period. This culture is expressed through folk music, particularly performed with the saz, a traditional instrument. Although agriculture forms the backbone of Kırsehir’s economy, the “Abdals”—folk poets who earn their living by performing music during social rituals—are an essential economic component of the city. The close relationship between cultural heritage and the local economy has led to Kırsehir’s inclusion in the “UNESCO Creative Cities Network” with a focus on music. This network seeks to enhance cultural productions’ role in economic and social development, aligned with sustainable development goals. Therefore, Kırsehir’s membership reflects its commitment to preserving local music by integrating it into the economy. However, Bourdieu (2019) contends that the survival of all cultural and artistic expressions is challenging due to social inequalities rooted in capitalism. He argues that sustaining culture is impossible without the necessary cultural infrastructures that keep these expressions alive. This study explores the sustainability of local music in Kırsehir by analyzing its cultural infrastructures. In-depth interviews with 40 participants, including stakeholders from the Ministry of Culture of Turkey, Kırsehir Municipality, Kırsehir Ahi Evran University, Kırsehir Development Agency, and abdal musicians, revealed that Kırsehir lacks adequate physical and digital cultural infrastructure to sustain its local music. The study identifies the need for cultural infrastructures that support master-apprentice relationships and spaces dedicated to the production and consumption of local music.
keywords: creative cities, cultural heritage, cultural sustainability, Kırsehir