Seminar series - Cappadocia Making: Between Territories and Landscapes of Güzelyurt, Sivrihisar, Akyamaç and Their Surroundings

The distinction between territory and landscape is clearly defined in the European Landscape Convention (STE 76), which addresses territory by including a dimension of landscape. According to this convention, "Landscape" refers to a part of territory as perceived by populations, the character of which results from the action of natural and/or human factors and their interrelations.
Within the humanities, the approach to territory and landscapes remains delicate, as the vocabulary used in each discipline carries distinct meanings. An intriguing example is that of the term Cappadocia, which, although widely accepted in scientific and public literature, lacks a fixed definition. Indeed, when we speak of Cappadocia, what exactly are we referring to? Despite Guillaume de Jerphanion's invention of this Byzantine region serving as a demonstration, the question of defining Cappadocia continues to permeate Cappadocian studies (Planhol 1981; Métivier 2005; Lamesa 2016). Why? Because the Cappadocian territories and landscapes over the long term remain elusive.
It should be noted that Cappadocia, studied by researchers working on Medieval period inspired by Jerphanion's work, stretches from Aksaray to Niğde and from Kayseri to Nevşehir; however, should we not speak of Cappadocias in the plural to account for the history of this central Anatolian area, known geologically as CAVP (Central Anatolian Volcanic Province), situated between two faults: Tüz Gölü and Ecemiş (Çiner et al. 2012). Successively a satrapy, kingdom, province, eparchy(ies), this territory with fluctuating borders (Lamesa 2021), sometimes divided or associated with other administrative structures, only recently acquired administrative reality in the centennial Turkish Republic (Law 7174, 2019).
Building upon the interdisciplinary seminar "Cappadocia: Land of History and Cultures" held at the IFEA between 2011 and 2012, led by Anaïs Lamesa, Aude Aylin de Tapia, Lisa Deheurles-Montmayeur (introductory seminar: DOI: 10.60527/wjhr-z883), we aim to explore Cappadocian landscapes, this time focusing on a specific area: the Güzelyurt, Sivrihisar, and Akyamaç area (Aksaray region). Our objective is to initiate a dialogue across various disciplines, starting from this zone to deepen understanding of Cappadocian landscapes and highlight the multi-memorial layers to read of its history.
Each talk will last approximately 40 minutes, then public will engage with the presenters in a 15–20-minute dialogue.
This monthly seminar, conducted online, is co-organized by the French Institute of Anatolian Studies, Nevşehir Haci Bektaş Veli University, the Laboratory of Rhetorical Studies, and Kapadokya University. It will commence in November 2024 and consist of seven sessions. Presentations will be delivered in Turkish or English. Anaïs Lamesa (Edinburgh University and IFEA), Ayşe Budak (Nevşehir Haci Bektaş Veli University), Grégoire Sommer (Laboratory of Rhetorical Studies and IFEA), and Idil Üçbaşaran are the co-organizers of this seminar.
 
Programme

28 January 2025: Grégoire Sommer: Construction of landscapes: the rhetoric of Gregory of Nazianzus (in English)
18 February 2025: Anne-Hélène Joulia : A mystery in the landscape? New perspectives on the study of Kizil Kilise (in English)
18 March 2025: Ayşe Budak: Ottoman landscape mosques (in Turkish)
15 April 2025: On-site (Güzelyurt) : workshop with Sacıt Pekak, Gamze Uray and Stefo Benlisoy (in Turkish)
Sacit Pekak: Immovable cultural heritage from Gelveri to Güzelyurt
Gamze Uray: Evaluation of the stone ornaments seen in the architectural structures of Güzelyurt in terms of the relationship between religion and art
Stefo Benlisoy: The historical evolution of the Orthodox communities of Gelveri (Güzelyurt) and Aksaray during the late Ottoman period
20 May 2025: Aylin De Tapia: Ottoman-Greek-Orthodox monuments in the cultural heritage of Turkey. Conversion, reappropriation, disintegration. Cappadocia as a case study (in English)
24 June 2025: Idil Üçbaşaran: Tourism geography and landscape apprehension: the example of Güzelyurt (in English)