A brand owned by the local community that ensures preservation of biocultural diversity and functions as a social hub for scientists, conservationists, farmers, artisans, artists and pigeons. Arising from long term research and activities in the area since 2008, we developed the idea of creating a social enterprise called Fairy Dust, that will become not only a brand but will also function as a social hub.

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Inspired by the unique relationship between the Cappadocian cave dwellers, their fairy chimneys, and pigeons, we have initiated this project to market the quality products that grow in the area; to revitalize the traditional methods of vineyard keeping; and to sustain the cultural heritage site.

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For centuries, cave dwellers worked together in the fairy chimneys, which served as social hubs. Their caves provided the space to perform social networks and affirm ties between households. The fairy chimneys and the outer, surrounding space and the landscape shared by the community and the pigeons were not only influential in terms of experiencing the place, but also as a stimulative force for building peoples’ own presence in the landscape.

 

Also, by functioning as the central base where families participated in and constituted their relationship to society, the landscape of fairy chimneys make it possible to talk about experiences of collective presence and collective identity-building processes.

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Revitalizing such traditions, our Enterprise runs non-hierarchically, led by an interdisciplinary group. We will work to exploring and researching the area, while other group members focus on branding the local products (dry fruits, raisins, tea and others) that are produced on volcanic ash solely with pigeon manure. When mixed with the volcanic ash and ‘tuff’ soil eroded from volcanic rock, the manure produces the very special Cappadocian wine and ‘pectin’, the aromatic wine syrup prepared by women in almost every household, and served to guests during the harvest festival in September.