As part of the KarDes: Multicultural Memory Tours Guide mobile application project, the launch event of the "Istanbul’s Water Heritage Tour", prepared in collaboration with the Netherlands Institute in Turkey, Hrank Dink Foundation, and Radboud University, with the support of Vrije University, will take place on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the Hrant Dink Foundation Havak Hall. At the event, after the opening speech by Damla Barın from the KarDes team, Mariëtte Verhoeven from Radboud University will discuss the historical importance of water in Istanbul over the centuries. Afterward, Alvise Cecchetti, Aysel Arslan, Damla Barın, Fokke Gerritsen and Kee-Lou Ooyman, who contributed to the preparation of the tour content, will talk about the venues and human stories included in the tour.

Date: 19 February 2025, Wednesday

Time: 18:00 (Istanbul time)

Location: Hrant Dink Vakfı Anarad Hığutyun Binası, Papa Roncalli Sokak, No:128, Harbiye, Şişli/İstanbul

Istanbul, a modern metropolis and former capital of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires, despite being surrounded on three sides by sea waters, has always lacked sources of freshwater. This is the reason why past rulers made considerable efforts and investments in water infrastructures and technologies that ensure that freshwater was brought from the outskirts and hinterland to the thirsty city. Today, the metropolis of Istanbul is still struggling with water scarcity as a result of population growth and climate change. In contrast, the ancient remains of historical water installations such as aqueducts, fountains, cisterns, springs and water towers, are omnipresent in the historical core of the modern city. This project aims to raise awareness of the problems related to water supply and management in the city from the past to the present. It also tells the stories associated with these structures by drawing attention to the contributions and relationships of different religious and ethnic groups and minorities to water supply and use.

• The events will be held in hybrid format (face to face and on Zoom).
• For Zoom, the capacity is 100 people.
• The duration of the event is 1,5 hours.
• The language of the event will be English and there will be limited translation to Turkish.
• Please fill out the registration form.