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Sam Mehta’s presentation, “Turkey; People and Places" to the Appalachian Mountain Club will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Doors open for wine, appetizers, a pasta dinner, salad and desserts at 6.30 p.m. The one-hour presentation begins at 7:30 p.m. The event costs $10 for AMC members and $15 for non-members.
Mehta will share images of Turkey and transport guests to Turkey through his images and narration about its people and places. He will also share his perspective on Turkey’s long and rich history and will explain recent developments in the historic context.
The story of Turkey parallels the story of the West over the last two 2,500 years. The two rivers, the Euphrates and the Tigris that form the Fertile Crescent, originate in the southeastern mountains of Turkey. Archaeological city sites in Turkey date back to 9000 BC, yet modernization is more than ever the hallmark of the Turkish nation.
Turkey has its share of geological wonders, ranging from the blue water of the Aegean Sea, the magnificent Taurus mountain range that separates the Mediterranean region from the central Anatolian plateau, amazing tufa rock formations, underground cities, and spectacular beaches. Turkey also has its share of UNESCO sites with architecture perfected during the Byzantine, Seljuk and Ottoman eras.
Yet Turkey has a dark side too. Democracy has proven much more difficult to achieve than was envisioned, and its military intervenes in politics. The Islamic party has scored recent victories. Its populist tendencies counter democratic reforms. Furthermore, Kurds in the east have been waging a separatist war. To add to the chaos, Turkey has been forced to house millions of refugees from Syria.
Mehta is a retired corporate executive with a life-long passion for photography, mountains, outdoors and adventure travels.
Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America’s oldest conservation and recreation organization. With more than 100,000 members, advocates, and supporters in the Northeast and beyond, AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment, and stewardship of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of the Appalachian region.
Participants are asked to bring along a dessert to share if they can. Reservations are not required and guests can pay at door. For more information and directions go to www.ct-amc.org or email Eleanor Sasso at easasso7@icloud.com
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