Cappodox offers a feast for ears and mouths

Under the motto, "Let Us Cultivate Our Own Garden," the Cappadox Music, Contemporary Art and Gastronomy Open Air Festival offers an alternative experience to those who seeking a break from busy, urban life. The festival, running from May 19 to May 22, will be held in Cappadocia in the province of Nevşehir. Cappadox 2016 promises to be an extraordinary experience for all visitors, unveiling new horizons for discovery and production to all who attend.

The Sun Ra Arkestra invites music lovers to an unforgettable concert featuring music composed by the orchestra which was founded by the legendary jazz artist Sun Ra and spans every inch of jazz history with their avant-garde style. Considered one of the most talented jazz artists in the business, Dhaffer Youssef - renowned lute player, singer and composer - along with his ensemble, the Dhaffer Youssef Quartet, will give a lyrical performance blending Sufi traditions with their multicultural background. The quartet, known for performing mystic North African and jazz rhythms along electronic and funk tones, will blend their style with Mediterranean music. Furthermore, the ensemble Gevende will take the stage at Perili Ozanlar Valley, performing their psychedlic songs in a blend of folk, jazz and rock music. Karsu, who creates original compositions in a wide range of styles from jazz to soul and blues to reggae, is a musician that grew up in our back yard. Her rich repertoire featuring jazz, funk, soul, blues and reggae will take over Cappadox onstage at the Tower of Uçhisar. Udi Yervant, the one and only Armenian artist in the Diyarbakır Classical Turkish Music Choir will perform songs in Armenian, Kurdish, Turkish, Arabic and Farsi at Cappadox.


Dhaffer Youssef


Udi Yervant, the one and only Armenian artist in the Diyarbakır Classical Turkish Music Choir, will perform songs in Armenian, Kurdish, Turkish, Arabic and Persian at Cappadox.

This year's Cappadox Contemporary Art Program focuses on Cappadocia's transition from an agriculture-based economy to a tourism-based one. Curated by Fulya Erdemci and Kevser Güler, the art program at Cappadox will feature artworks by Turkish and international artists including Asuncion Molinos Gordo (Cairo), Ayşe Erkmen (Berlin / Istanbul), Cevdet Erek (Istanbul), Christoph Schaefer (Hamburg), Hera Büyüktaşçıyan (Istanbul), John Körmeling (Eindhoven), Maider Lopez (San Sebastian), Marila Dardot (Sao Paulo / Lisbon), Murat Germen (Istanbul), Murat Şahinler & Fuat Şahinler (Istanbul), Nilbar Güreş (Vienna / Istanbul), Özge Önderoğlu Akkuyu, Emin Naci Akkuyu & Murat Taşçıoğlu (Nevşehir) and Tomas Saraceno (Berlin).


Karsu, who creates original compositions in a wide range of styles from jazz and soul to blues and reggae, is a musician that grew up in our backyard. Her rich repertoire will take over Cappadox onstage at the Tower of Uçhisar.

The art exhibition venue will begin in Kızılçukur, which is surrounded by fairy chimneys, small family farms and a historical church, and continue to Uçhisar Square. The exhibition will center on gardens that show off nature, culture and history as well as artistic interventions centered around different geographical formations. Moreover, this year's contemporary art program will interact with other events at Cappadox. For instance, the Cappadox Flora Walk, bicycle tours and workshops will enable participants to experience the local lifestyle, the natural and historical texture of Cappadocia as well as the flora of the region. The Bağlıdere Valley Nature Walk will offer an unforgettable experience where Cappadox attendees can walk among vineyards, fairy chimneys and the incredible natural beauty of Cappadocia.


SUN RA ARKESTRA

As part of the gastronomy events, meals made by Cappadocia residents will be featured at the Cappadox Picnic located in the Bağlıdere Valley. The Table of Chefs, which will be featured in the Cappadox Gastronomy program for three days in the Maara Mansion, will present contemporary interpretations of chefs like Maksut Aşkar, Şemsa Denizsel and Aussie chef Sebbie Kenyon. Meals prepared with natural products and recipes featured on the menu will be prepared for Cappadox and chefs will make exclusive, impromptu meals which will undoubtedly display their creativity. The outdoor activities at Cappadox will also be centered around the festival's motto. The yoga session titled, "Connecting to the Soil" will enable participants to use energy found from deep within the soil of Cappadocia to connect with Mother Nature. Yoga session participants will feel energy flow through their minds and bodies.