Sisyphus of Cappadocia
Ekim 2026 – Eylül 2027
NEVŞEHİR
Sisyphus of Cappadocia is a documentary film and public engagement project centred on the story of Mükremin Tokmak, a local historian from Avanos and an advocate for cultural memory who has been working with limited resources to counter the erasure of Cappadocia’s multilayered historical memory and the destruction of its natural and cultural heritage.
For years, Tokmak has been preserving photographs, documents and objects related to the population exchange between Türkiye and Greece, while rescuing historical archival materials discarded as waste. He also speaks out against the damage to fairy chimneys and underground cities, advocating for the protection of local history and collective memory in the public sphere. His personal struggle is explored in the broader context of Cappadocia’s tourism-driven transformation, rapid construction and the reduction of cultural heritage to an economic asset.
As part of the project, the documentary will be completed, followed by a public screening in Cappadocia, a post-screening discussion and a workshop. These activities aim to create a space for direct dialogue on local memory, cultural heritage preservation and public participation, bringing local communities into the discussion.
