Building Partnerships for Cultural Heritage and Rural Development in Zile, Develi, Kayseri
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KAYSERİ – As Kayseri prepares for its role as the 2027 Capital of Turkic World Culture, the Tohumluk Foundation continues its field studies to develop projects that preserve, promote, and celebrate the region’s rich cultural heritage.
As part of these efforts, our Kayseri Provincial Coordinator Nilüfer Bıçakcıoğlu and volunteer Emine Kihtir visited Zile Village in the Develi district, where they met with Aydan and Hakan Özkan, a family deeply committed to preserving the area’s cultural and architectural heritage.
During the visit, the Foundation explored several important heritage sites, including Kerpiçhanem, an exemplary earthen-house project inspired by traditional Anatolian architecture, the carefully preserved Hacı Baba House and Hasan Baba House, and the historic village cemetery, which contains gravestones reflecting the cultural legacy of Oghuz tribes, the Seljuk period, and the Ottoman era.
Zile is distinguished not only by its traditional earthen architecture but also by its historical cemeteries, fertile agricultural lands, natural springs, and enduring rural traditions that have been preserved for generations.
Rather than leaving their hometown behind, Aydan and Hakan Özkan have chosen to invest their knowledge, experience, and energy in protecting and revitalizing the cultural identity of Zile. Alongside preserving traditional architecture, they are developing value-added agricultural initiatives, including the cultivation of black cumin and industrial hemp, while collaborating with universities to connect scientific research with sustainable rural production.
During the meeting, representatives of the Tohumluk Foundation introduced the Foundation’s work in education, culture, arts, and rural development. Discussions also focused on future projects planned within the framework of Kayseri 2027, including exhibitions, educational programs, and initiatives highlighting Zile’s architectural and cultural heritage.
The Özkan family expressed their willingness to actively support these initiatives and collaborate with the Foundation in promoting the unique heritage of their region.
At the Tohumluk Foundation, we believe that rural development is about much more than economic growth. Preserving cultural heritage, safeguarding traditional architecture, supporting local production, and passing living traditions on to future generations are all essential elements of sustainable development.
We extend our sincere thanks to Aydan and Hakan Özkan for their warm hospitality and inspiring dedication. We look forward to working together on projects that will showcase the unique cultural heritage of Develi Zile as part of Kayseri’s journey toward becoming the 2027 Capital of Turkic World Culture.
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