The second home of many British people, Çalış, a seaside resort in Fethiye, is now becoming increasingly known for its local carnival, thanks to the energetic efforts of two British residents. The Çalış Carnival will be held for the third time on May 23. Although the Çalış Society was initially reluctant to support the festival, both it and the area businesses are enthusiastically supporting the festival originated by Chrissie and Peter Clark.
Sponsors have been helping with marketing, manufacturing cotton eco-bags and printing advertising posters designed by local school children. Since every business benefits from the influx of visitors, everybody has wanted to participate. A hugely successful aspect of the carnival is the “Shining Stars” event, where two children from each school are selected for having set a good example – not through being the most beautiful or cleverest but by overcoming difficulties or providing a thoughtful service to their school or community. Sponsored by Burger King last year, they lead the parade and are treated as VIPs with a shiny crystal medallion and sash.
This year there is a “One World” theme for 14 schools with nearly 1,000 students to interpret as they wish in what promises to be an arresting display. The organizers also hope to have a women’s choir from Wales and possibly a drum band from the Ivory Coast. Peter Clark has been energized by the prospect. “It is all very exciting. We want a ‘Caribbean Steel Band’ but so far we haven’t found one in Turkey: anything to add to the rhythm and fun. Perhaps someone reading this will help us.” He said the idea of organizing a carnival originated from their involvement in a similar project on the Isle of Wight, a small island off the south coast of England.
The Clarks had stressful, high-power jobs in the United Kingdom: Peter was a teacher in a north London secondary school for more than 35 years while Chrissie was an insurance manager for more than 50 schools – including Peter’s. They met through their work and following their marriage in 1995, honeymooned in Turkey. As is often the case, they fell in love with the country and its people. “Buying a second home in Turkey was the best decision we ever made apart from getting married of course,” laughs Peter. Following their decision to take early retirement, they consolidated their assets, first buying a house in the south of England and later one in Çalış. Asked about the responsibility of assuming such a massive and untested cultural project, Peter Clark said, “We had been helping fund raising for a carnival in the Isle of Wight and that provided a foundation for trying to do something here in Çalış.
Our prime aim was to do something to integrate the Turkish and foreign communities.” Their idea took root and flourished. “Fund raising wasn’t our original aim,” he said. “Our first idea was a community based venture, ‘Hand-in-Hand for Çalış’ to bring the Turkish and foreign communities together. The second aim was to give Çalış its own identity. We also wanted to offer people a good day out and thought that if we made any money, we’d fund projects for the unprivileged and disadvantaged children in the area. It grew from there.” Chrissie Clark continued, saying: “We went to see Fethiye Mayor [Beçhet Saatçi.] He suggested we make a business plan. While he told us he didn’t want to see a raunchy ‘Rio-style’ carnival, he gave his tacit approval, asking how much we thought it would cost. Peter picked a figure out of the ether, which proved to be uncannily accurate. Peter said 30,000 Turkish Liras.
The event cost 29,757 liras, but we also raised 25,000 for the kids.” Their endeavors have not gone unnoticed and although many have shown respect, a minority has been cynical and even critical. “Our voluntary work was viewed with suspicion to begin with,” said Chrissie. “Some people thought we were running a business and asked how much we were getting paid. The satisfaction we feel when the local kids benefit from our fund raising is enough reward – that’s our payback.” Noting that the work is very exhausting, she said, “I am working harder than ever before organization and administration mostly.” The preparation for the carnival starts at the end of September. “We give ourselves a break of about three months after the carnival has finished in May, just to recover but really it’s an ongoing social calendar,” she said. “We start by looking at how we can best utilize the funds we already have and then plan various fundraising events throughout the year, culminating in the carnival.”
The couple is full of enthusiasm. “When we started three years ago, we had no funds and no status. We got ourselves included under the umbrella organization of [local non-governmental organization] FETAV, and all money raised goes through their bank accounts,” she said. “Luckily, we have a wonderful accountant who handles all that. In order to get some starting-capital we had a ‘car-boot sale’ – some people took this a little too literally and thought that this was a real car sale! It was so successful we’ve been having them ever since,” she said.
In explaining how the projects began, she said: “Although we have never had any financial support from the municipality, we have always had help in kind. We have been assisted throughout by [Municipality Enforcement Manager] Halime Ok, and she gave permission for us to use a Çalış car park.” They have a very busy schedule and there is already a frenzy of activity.
Fortunately for the Clarks, roughly 30 people are now on the committee. “We have a wonderful group of dynamic people: Brits, Turks, Germans and, most recently, Russians.” He said: “The more diverse we are the better. Every single kuruş has to be accounted for and everything documented. It is so much work but we always remember the children. They and the fun everyone has makes it all worthwhile.” While a full schedule of activities for the event will be published ahead of the carnival, those that want a sneak-peek can head to their Web site at www.caliscarnival.com Source - Hurriyet Daily News
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