“The Architecture in Northeastern Anatolia” exhibition is a photography exhibition of Ali Konyalı, covering Kars, Ardahan, Oltu and its Environ. This is the second phase of Milli Reasürans Art Gallery’s ongoing project on Rural and Urban Architecture in Turkey, and is put on view in Milli Reasürans Art Gallery between October 27-November 19, 2009.

Under the scientific consultation of Prof. Dr. Metin Sözen, and under the directorate of Amelie Edgü and the asistantship of Ayşe Gür and Şebnem Günaydın, a book of 256 pages, is published along too, comprising articles from Prof. Dr. Şengül Öymen Gür and Aarand Roos.

The book includes Kars, Ardahan and its environs with a comprehensive coverage of Ani, Oltu and its environs. The historical, art historical and architectural features of the stone houses of Kars, the breathtaking countryside of Çıldır, its fortresses, figured gravestones and Oltu’s chateau in Alatarla village, the 350 years old Arslanpaşa Mosque which kept its authenticity, are reviewed in magnificient photos of Ali Konyalı.

The book covers also the Çamlıhemşin and Hemşin region with an article from Prof. Dr. Şengül Öymen Gür accompanying the photos of Ali Konyalı.

The book consists of 360 photographs, 83 architectural structures and reconstruction drawings, 21 engravings , old photographs, 4 maps and plans.

Being a passage way between Anatolia and the Caucasus, Northeastern Anatolia, made way to countless tribes coming from the north and the south, witnessed austere wars, accomodate numerous states and thus harbored a rich culture through out its history which is dating back to 5000 BC.

The remainings as well as the unique geography is waiting to be discovered, to be documented and worth to show interest. The exhibition is targeting to introduce this richness while the book is documenting it.

In his foreword, Prof. Dr. Metin Sözen says: “ Kars, Ani and their environs have embodied both diversity and unity throughout history. The unique identity that was built up in this way is presented in this book, whose concern is one of painting a broad picture that transcends artificial boundaries and whose aim is to provide clues for future in-depth studies. The historical cultural heritage that is the subject of the information and documents presented in this book is captured with a unique vision and which can provide the basis for further multidimensional research. It is to be hoped that this will in turn inescapably lead to greater interest in a unique cultural reservoir that has received the attention it deserves.”

In the Kars/Ani and its environs part of the book, the Volga Germans, the Molokans and the Estonians who lived here until quite recently are given place. As for the Molokans, it says in the quotation from the Kars City Guide; “ All that remained from them in pyhsical presence are the ruins of mills; and only the names of the big Arlov horses and the Molokan cows… The humanity, love, brotherhood and friendship are what they left behind for us. Memories that remained unsullied by blood even during the worst days of war and annihilation…” Aarand Roos on the other hand tells the story of the Estonians dating back to 1879, who walked 2.500 kilometres to a new home and settled around Kars.