Redefining Time and Space
I was in Alanya again this year for the second annual Turkey Nomadfest event… Last year I gave a presentation as a “Modern Witch”. This year, my mission was to plan and guide the cultural routes for the event. Here is what, where, how, and why. 🙂

Remote Work, Digital Nomadism, and Solopreneur Balance: The Common Ground Between Freedom and Community – Nomadfest

Modern nomadism and digital nomadism open up a boundless space of freedom, eliminating geographical boundaries. Many are entrepreneurs and some are solopreneurs. For many, this lifestyle seems like the clearest way to be free of bosses and office walls. However, this freedom can also inhabit a crisis of belonging and physical isolation. “Community” is what unites that geographical dispersion under one roof. While digital nomadism may seem like the path of those walking alone, a shared sense of belonging and community is crucial for sustainability. Nomads may rest in a common harbor of belonging and recharge here before setting sail for new routes. “Nomad” events and festivals held in various parts of the world create, grow, and protect this space.

Türkiye Nomadfest: A Community and Production Area on the Mediterranean Coast

The second edition was held in Alanya between October 18-25, 2026.Türkiye Nomad Fest,This isn’t just a typical holiday event or a passive get-together. It’s an 8-day intellectual campus for solopreneurs, programmers, content creators, and professionals from remote locations; mornings focused on wellbeing, and the daytime filled with intensive AI bootcamps (workshops) and brainstorming sessions. Its main goal is to connect geographically isolated working minds, foster a strong sense of community, and build sustainable digital business models, all while engaging and connecting with local communities.

Nomadfest Cultural Routes: Connecting with the Past

The cultural routes and workshops planned as part of this year’s festival were not purely touristic. The main goal was to enable modern nomads, who operate independently of location, to connect with the memory of the location. By diverting minds working with codes and metrics behind screens to the walls of a millennia-old fortress, pirate hideouts, and mythological layers; the concept aimed to both maintain a sense of “meaning” within the festival and strengthen the community.

The Memory of Geography: Alanya’s Cultural Heritage and the Pirate-Herakles Connection

Beneath its modern facade as a tourist town, Alanya harbors a harsh history of survival and strategy.

From Korakesium to Pirates: 

Alanya, historically known as “Crow’s Nest,” with its steep cliffs and impassable terrain, was a haven for pirates in ancient times. A pirate kingdom until the campaign of Roman General Pompey in 67 BC, this region represents a rebellious spirit that broke the rules and established its own system.

The Connection Between Pirates and the Cult of Heracles: 

The cult of Heracles (Hercules), which forms the backbone of the region, was the main protective belief that ancient pirates and sailors sought refuge in before their voyages. This is because Heracles symbolizes not only physical strength but also the interplay between the mortal and the divine, arduous labor, and the power to “ward off evil” (Alexikakos). Because rebellious pirates existed amidst constant struggle and danger, they adopted Heracles, who had become godlike through his own battles, as their patron saint (Alexikakos). The massive floor mosaics depicting the 12 tasks in the ancient city of Syedra reveal the fighting spirit and resilience inherent in this geography.

Historical Layers: 

The Red Tower and Shipyard, built with the Seljuk maritime vision, the traces of Cleopatra, and the legend of Alaeddin Keykubad conquering the castle with goats; these are other stories that prove that these lands are forged with cunning, strategy, and resilience.

Nomadfest Event Routes & Reflections of Heritage

Nomadfest Türkiye’s cultural events were organized along three main routes to connect this historical and mythological background with modern nomads:

Alanya Castle Tour and Photography Workshop: 

Participants traced the footsteps of pirates on the cliffs of Korakesium with a cable car ride and walks within the city walls. At sunset, they immortalized the architectural layers of the fortress with a photography workshop.

Damlataş Cave and Archaeology Museum: 

After visiting Damlataş Cave, which is part of the region’s natural landscape, the group visited the Alanya Archaeology Museum. At this stop, artifacts from Syedra and Laertes were examined, along with the 2nd-century Bronze Herakles Statue, a cornerstone of the region’s culture and a symbol of the Herakles (Hercules) cult.

Ancient City of Syedra: 

Syedra, one of the most important ancient cities in the region, was visited with the support of Alanya Municipality and under the guidance of archaeologist Mr.Samet, who has been working in the archaeological excavations. The tour delved into the heart of the ancient city with its colonnaded streets. In this region where Herakles mosaics are located, traces of the sports and justice cults of the ancient period were explored.

In the end…

Nomad festivals, gatherings for the new generation of nomads, are getting popular in various countries around the world. Some have been held for many years; others are just starting to revive. Organized in different scales and formats, they range from small groups of 30-50 people to thousands. Türkiye Nomadfest has been held in Alanya for two consecutive years. It aims to showcase the beauty of our country to this community, as well as sharing fluid lifestyles and work practices to Turkish communities. In fact, digital nomadism generates more revenue for countries than traditional tourism. Moreover, it has a much broader impact, fueling the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem. Therefore, nomadism attracts the attention of the public as well as young people, entrepreneurs, and remote workers.

But frankly, the two years of effort haven’t yielded the expected results in terms of local impact. Most of the foreign festival visitors were either already living in Turkiye and loving it; and new visitors fell in love with the country upon arrival. Apart from a small number of citizens interested in the subject, local participation was insufficient. Attributing this to a lack of individual interest, public support, institutional collaboration, promotional budget, etc., is the easy way out. After all, criticism is a national sport! Taking action, however, is a more arduous path. But the weakness of volunteer events is their sustainability.

I was personally first introduced to Türkiye Nomadfest here last year and I was a speaker at the first event. At the second event, encouraged by the organizing team, I took on a broader role and provided support in designing and guiding cultural routes.

The feedback I received throughout and at the end of the festival showed that these cultural routes were not just trips. These formed a powerful cement that allowed participants to come together in a shared memory. By touching the thousand-year-old walls, the nomads had the opportunity to forge a meaningful connection and put down roots, both with the place and with each other.

My personal gains were also multifaceted… Of course, friendships were made and strengthened; we even started developing projects together. New friendships were just as sincere and profound as the old ones. But what was truly valuable for me was the revival of my desire to learn new things, as well as my motivation to create. I am deeply grateful  to the Türkiye Nomadfest team for the inspiration to share what I can with more people, to work for more impact and to make it sustainable,