Born in Adana. She graduated from Chemical Programme of Faculty of Science and Letters. She is still chemical teacher. She is interested in photography for 7 years. She took basic and advanced photography education at BUFSAD. She joined documantary workshops. She won exhibition award at 12th National Photography Competition that presented by Alanya Municipality.
Ruled by many kingdoms and empires for centuries and once an important center in the region, Ani is today a ruined ghost town.
“ANİ” which can’t fit into dreams and photographs.
Ani was an important center of the region, it hosted many civilizations and witnessing many wars for centuries, 40 churches, chapels and mausoleums have been identified in Ani, also known as "1001 Church City".
A dream city where people abandoned, wolves and dogs pulled their hand, a dream city where only birds flew over, and to feel the sadness of this forgotten city. The cheeky grasses covering the structures we can't resist to look at, the beautiful stones that have succumbed to the rain and the snow.
"It is that magnificent period of time where we compare the past with the present, where we can imagine what was dead now was alive, without closing our eyes. "
Such an old city where different cultures lived would have a legend, wouldn't it?
The legend is told as follows: There were two countries separated by a river. One’s tradesman goes to other country. They were good and honest tradesmen. There were good and honest directors at the head of these countries. They got along well, they were fair. One day the emperor died and someone replaced him. When tradesmen saw that director changed they realised methods also changed. Orphans’ rights were defeated, innocent people was seized. judges’ conscience was bought and sold in the markets. There wasn’t justice left, either property. Tradesmen who felt sorry not because their lost money or property but to these petrified hearts, they cursed “be stone” Suddenly, the huge city turned into stone and start to known as: ANİ
A history is passing in front of my eyes.
As if the sun gave its light to the Stones here. A road ahead greets us with the Georgian Church, Fire Temple and Apostles Church on the left. Small shops, inns and Ruined Minaret on my right side. I stop and listen to the sounds of the city. It's like wishing to share its secrets.
Underground cities, cave houses. Seljuk mosques, temples, gates, city walls. How all of them are still resisting. How fascinates people.
It's a magical place, you know you feel it. You feel the secrets as you turn on your own axis and you are almost making the distance closer.
"Ani" is a magical place
I think "Ani" is waiting for its new visitors who will share its loneliness and sadness by looking at Mount Ararat as if saying I am here, too.
Kouldelka's Watch Photo
What's Going On? 1969-1974
