Cittaslow which first started in Seferihisar in Turkey is spreading fast

The Cittaslow movement is spreading around the world. As Seferihisar, Akyaka, Gökçeada, Taraklı and Yenipazar become official members, Turkey becomes another of the growing number of countries identifying with concepts of slow tourism and trade aiming improve quality of life for everyone and open new dimensions within people’s lives

Turkey’s Seferihisar, Akyaka, Taraklı, Gökçeada and Yenipazar are now parts of the worlds Cittaslow community. Cittaslow is a movement born out of a little town in Tuscany in 1999, conceived by the former mayor of Greve in Chianti, Paolo Saturnini.

Inspired by the Slow Food movement, his idea was to develop a way of living based on improving quality of life by reducing the pace.

Municipalities that join the association seek a return to simpler times, looking to reinstate a forgotten way of being;

• They adopt the slow and healthy succession of seasons,
• are respectful of citizens’ health,
• are concerned with the authenticity of products and food,
• want to revive traditional arts and crafts
• and spend effort to protect historical locations and monuments
• and embrace the joy of slow and quiet living.

Slow tourism and slow trade: With slow tourism or trade, people resist the idea of conducting their visits or their trade activities quickly. The aim is to find a modern-day counterpart to life as it was once lived, incorporating the best bits of the past and enjoying them in the context of the present-day.

A “slow town” resists homogenization, respecting local variations and enabling its inhabitants to lead a calmer and healthier lifestyle. It is also more environmentally sustainable.

Slow Food, which strives to preserve regional and traditional cuisine, together with the cities mirroring their identities with these ideals, helps to build the Cittaslow international network.

According to the Cittaslow Manifesto, the committee is looking for

• towns where men are still curious of the old times,
• towns rich in theatres, squares, cafes, workshops, restaurants and spiritual places,
• towns with untouched landscapes and charming craftsman
• towns where people are still able to recognize the slow course of the seasons
• towns with genuine products; respecting tastes, health and spontaneous customs

A utopia for everyone: In these heady times, achieving such a goal would be akin to utopia for many. The movement has expanded to incorporate 100 towns and 10 countries around the world since it was conceived, connecting administrators, citizens and Slow Food partners. The common goal is to have mutual experiences focusing on gourmet food, quality service and the creation of a nurturing environment both personally and culturally.

The Cittaslow movement started in Seferihisar, Turkey on Nov. 28, 2009. It has subsequently broadened to include districts such as Akyaka, Gökçeada, Taraklı and Yenipazar. Between Dec. 17 and 18 the Turkey Science Committee gathered in Seferihisar to talk about the initiative.

Our important note: Mr. TUNÇ SOYER the mayor of Seferihisar has contributed so much to this happening. Thanks to his efforts which started this movement in Turkey, Seferihisar has been enjoying much stronger attention from within the country as well as on the international level. We thank Mr. Soyer for his achievements for Seferihisar (as well as Turkey) on behalf of the people of this lovely cittaslow town.

20.11.2013
Compiled by editor