The old buildings in Kalkan that our association have considered to list in order to enter and become member of the Turkish Union of Historical Towns. This project will be carried out in cooperation with the Kalkan local government as well as ÇEKÜL - The Foundation for the Promotion and Protection of the Environment and Cultural Heritage in the future. The main purpose is that help those distinctive old buildings remain in good condition for the future generations with consciousness and carry out a renovation scheme according to their original structure.

 
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HÜSEYIN HALUK YILMAZ EDUCATION AND SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Resolution # 25 was passed on August 8, 2005 by Kalkander to name the education and scholarship fund "The Hüseyin Haluk Yılmaz Education and Scholarship Fund" in memory of  Hüseyin Haluk Yılmaz.   The late Mr. Yilmaz  was a member of Kalkander and of a Kalkan family long renown for making considerable donations for education.

This fund can only be used for scholarships and education projects. (Resolution dated 21/09/2005 - # 14 article). This fund is for the benefit of successful as well as financially needy students.

For those wishing to donate to this fund, the bank details are:

Denizbank
Kalkan Branch
Acc no: 1041141 -353
Swift no: Denitris 232

Lycian Civilisations Research Centre and Museum

A panel organized by the Governorship of Kas called ‘ The Future of Kas-Kalkan-Patara and Regional Preservation’ was held on June 28, 2005 at the Aquapark Hotel in Kas.  Also participating were members of Çekul (The Foundation for the Promotion and Protection of the Environment and Cultural Heritage).  A  presentation made by Kalkander proposing the establishment of a ‘Lycian Civilisations Research Centre and Museum’ was well received at the panel, resulting in the full support of Cekul.  It proposed converting the historic, now unused Kalkan school (former Mustafa Kocakaya primary school located next the bus station and taxi rank) into the museum.  The project, in conjunction with the Akdeniz University's archaeology department, is planned to go into practice in the near future.  All parties involved are very enthusiastic, believing that the project would create a beneficial transformation for the town of Kalkan and its environs and bring attention to the great historical and cultural importance of the area.

Overview 

Though Kalkan does not necessarily have any antiquity of great importance it has a very important geographical and historic location being in the centre of many historic Lycian sites such as Xanthos, Patara, Letoon, Pinara, Tlos, Sdyma... all of which can generate a great deal of social and economical growth particularly in tourism sector.  We believe this would immensely contribute to the social and cultural life of Kalkan rather than remaining a small fishing town that sleeps in winter and/or attracts only those who wish to invest in property business. 

We strongly believe that converting the present school (called Mustafa Kocakaya - previously a primary school built in 1937 by Mustafa Kocakaya as one of the earliest school in the history of Republic of Turkey) into the Likya Civilisations Research Centre would help us create a vision and a good brand name for Kalkan since tourism is one of the fasting growing sector in Turkey.  Here artifacts from the diggings at Patara, Xanthos, Letoon etc. would be exhibited and the building would also be used a convetion centre where many meetings, seminars, conferences and scientific and cultural projects would be held.

Kalkan needs many projects to relocate its position and gain a better, stronger identity and we believe this project (Likya Civilisations Research Centre) would play a key role helping:

• Kalkan to become a better known place
• Kalkan to become more prosperous
• create a better tourist profile
• attract more tour operators / travel agents
• create more tourists / tour activity
• attract more yachters and their business
• to bring a educational organisition (Akdeniz University, Archaeology Department) to Kalkan
• to develop a continous social life all year round and an overall better quality of life

These are only few points we believe Kalkan would benefit through this major project.

We, the board members of Kalkan association, think this beautful, spacious, centrally located building is a great asset for Kalkan and realising our project. 

The explations made above are only a preface of the general overview made by the board members of Kalkan Association.