Trabzon Association Calls for Solidarity Against Environmental Destruction from HES Projects and Mining

In Trabzon, Turkey, the Of Folklor Derneği (Of Folklore Association) has voiced strong opposition to hydroelectric power plant (HES) projects, stone quarries, and mining operations, which they argue are endangering the Black Sea region. Ahead of their annual Yaz Kültür ve Sanat Festivali (Summer Culture and Art Festival), the association staged a protest outside the Of Municipality.

Sudem Nisa Çelik, speaking on behalf of the association, stated that the region's natural beauty is under severe threat. "Our ancestors entrusted this beautiful homeland to us with their labor, sweat, and struggle," she said, emphasizing the responsibility to preserve its language, music, dance, nature, and people. However, she noted that free-flowing rivers are being dammed for HES projects, lush forests are being cleared for quarries and mines, and natural habitats are being destroyed by profit-driven policies.

Çelik declared that the fight against this environmental degradation is a shared responsibility and that they will not remain silent. "These rivers are not just water; they are our childhood. These forests are not just trees; they are our breath. These mountains are not just stones; they are our identity," she passionately stated, underscoring the deep connection between the local culture and the natural environment.

The festival, scheduled for August 1-2, 2026, is intended not just as a cultural gathering but as a significant platform for solidarity. "This festival is a large area of solidarity where people who protect their culture, nature, labor, and future come together," Çelik explained. The association stressed that their activism extends beyond the festival dates, continuing throughout the year to protect their homeland and its natural resources.

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Karadeniz’in özgür akan dereleri HES projeleriyle, taş ocaklarıyla ve maden faaliyetleriyle, doğal yaşam alanlarımız ise rant odaklı politikalarla her geçen gün biraz daha tahrip edilmektedir. Buna karşı mücadele hepimizin ortak sorumluluğu var. Biz buna sessiz kalmayacağız.