Funded by
the European Union

This website was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union.
Its contents are the sole responsibility of the Goethe-Institut Istanbul and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

TR

Urban Memory of Bursa: An Alternative Perspective

September 2025 – June 2026
BURSA

The Urban Memory of Bursa: An Alternative Perspective project aims to strengthen Turkey's cultural ecosystem at the local level. By uncovering individual and social experiences that remain outside Bursa's official historical narratives and are often rendered invisible, the project reopens the city's memory to discussion from a pluralistic perspective.

In this context, the personal testimonies of city residents will be recorded through oral history studies, and memory walks will re-invigorate the social memory of places. The workshops will bring together a wide range of communities, from young to old, allowing participants to share their individual memories and create a collective memory. Furthermore, artistic productions will make these multi-voiced narratives visible, transforming the city's cultural layers into an artistic language.

The long-term goal of the project is to develop an alternative interpretation of Bursa's history, increase the participation of diverse social segments in cultural life, and create a more democratic cultural environment based on freedom of expression. In this respect, the project is conceived not only as a memory work but also as an inclusive cultural practice that strengthens social dialogue and solidarity.

Özgür Renkler Derneği

The Özgür Renkler Derneği (Free Colors Association) is a rights organization that combats discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender characteristics, and gender expression, and supports the equal participation of LGBTI+ individuals in rights, services, and public life.

The association's work began in 2013 as a student group at Uludağ University and was institutionalized in 2016. The association operates through four programs: support and empowerment, advocacy, capacity building, and culture and arts. Its cultural and artistic activities aim to increase the visibility and expression of LGBTI+ individuals, strengthen their well-being, and celebrate diversity. In this context, it aims to contribute to social transformation through workshops, exhibitions, film screenings, and artist support programs.

Connections:

www.instagram.com/ozgurrenkler 

www.x.com/ozgurrenkler 

This page is published on 22 September 2025.