Bademler, one of Urla’s peaceful villages, is among the places where Tahtacı Turkmens settled. What makes it truly special, however, is the strong culture of theatre and solidarity that has continued in this small Aegean village for almost a century.
A Village Transformed by Theatre
Teacher Mustafa Anarat, who arrived in the early years of the Republic, introduced the people of Bademler to theatre. In 1933, Aka Gündüz’s play Yarım Osman was performed in the village square, laying the foundations of a theatrical tradition that continues today.
In 1969, Bademler Village Theatre opened through the efforts of the villagers.
There are no professional actors here: the performers are the village’s own people. Someone working in a field, greenhouse or shop during the day can take to the stage in the evening.
Dry Summer
Bademler is also an important landmark in Turkish cinema history.
Significant parts of Dry Summer, directed by Metin Erksan and starring Hülya Koçyiğit and Erol Taş, were filmed here. Villagers also appeared in the film, which won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 1964, marking one of Turkish cinema’s greatest international achievements.
A Village That Produces and Shares
Bademler also has a strong cooperative tradition. With the agricultural development cooperative established in 1962, greenhouse farming, particularly cut-flower production, became an important part of the village economy.
What makes Bademler special today is not a single building, but the continuing coexistence of Tahtacı Turkmen culture, theatre, cinema, cooperatives, production and collective work in the same village.
Bademler is a distinctive story of the Republic, where art has moved beyond big cities and become part of everyday village life.
