About Us

Ali Nesin started with extra study for his students in his own home, and later at the Nesin Foundation in Çatalca. These soon became a month-long summer camp taking place in a different region of Turkey each year. In 2004, he opened these summer camps to all atudents of any Turkish university. As the camps’ popularity increased, it became increasingly difficult – not to mention expensive – to arrange both relatively tranquil accommodation and lecture halls for so many people. He began to dream of creating a space dedicated to mathematics only.

From this dream the Mathematics Village was born; designed and built with the help and tremendous courage of Ali’s friend Sevan Nişanyan. It was built with donations from ordinary people and the voluntary labour, both manual and mental, of many young mathematicians. It was built with a communal spirit and has been serving people, young and old, ever since Summer 2007.

At first the target audience for the summer camps was university-level mathematics students. After a few years, the Maths Village gave in to popular demand and opened its services to students from primary through to high school. The mathematics classes taught at the Village are not controlled by any national curriculum, and don’t aim to prepare students for any kind of exam. In fact, there is no assessment at the Village at all, nor do we give out certificates or diplomas. Its only aim is to show students what professional mathematicians think of as ‘real mathematics’, and to introduce them to mathematical research.

The Art and Philosophy Villages, just like the Maths Village, aim to offer an alternative to the present education system, and to give participants space to learn in depth, to understand and to produce. They are open to young people from all over Turkey, and allow people to learn and produce art and philosophy in a constructive environment.

Just as the fields are not completely disjoint, neither are the three villages – some classrooms and living quarters are used by all three villages, while others are exclusive to each (such as the Art Workshop). In this way the fields can interact and feed off of each other.

At the same time, the Village aims to be a scientific and artistic centre, hosting conferences, workshops and seminars organised by various groups, apart from organising our own events and serving as an academic and artistic retreat.

Nesin Village Regulations

1. 1. The Nesin Villages (or The Village) is a place where freedom rules. Our freedoms here end only where others’ freedom and the current laws of the Republic of Turkey begin. No-one may interfere with anyone else’s beliefs, lifestyle choices nor opinions.
   2. The priority at the Village is study, thought and concentration. For this, a quiet and peaceful environment is necessary. No-one’s right to concentration may be taken from them nor restricted. Someone who is in the act of studying is not to be disturbed (including questions like “what’s up?”), except in cases of unpreventable emergencies.
   3. Except on a few special occasions, there is to be no broadcasting of television programs or music at the Village at any time. This includes mealtimes.
   4. The Village is firmly set against vulgarity, ugliness, dirtiness, and unbridled consumerism. For example, at the Village one does not litter – including cigarette butts – nor otherwise harm the environment, one does not put into one’s plate more than one can eat, one turns off unnecessary lights, one does nor curse or speak excessively loudly, etc.
   5. It is forbidden to bring explosives such as firecrackers, sparklers or fireworks. It is also forbidden to bring arms knives, guns, swords, or slingshots, even toy ones.
   6. Students at the Village will (according to their physical capacities and capabilities) fulfil certain tasks which do not require too much time nor energy, such as dishes, cooking, watering, planting trees, or even sometimes construction work. They will perform these tasks satisfactorily and in rotation. No-one shall be assigned tasks beyond their ability.
   7. The Village reserves the right ask students who do not act according to its regulations, who lack the maturity not to abuse their freedom and the trust placed in them, who perturb or disturb others around them, who cause harm to the environment and to the Village, or who do not study or attend lectures, to leave the Village, without necessity of providing a justification. Refunds will not be provided in this situation.
   8. In the Village meals are served buffet-style. People should queue to get their food and take their plates to the dishwashing counter when they are done.
   9. The Village is on a mountaintop. If a guest is sensitive or allergic to insects, bees, pollen, sun, cats and such things, they should take precautions when coming, such as bringing necessary medication. Please inform us of any special needs.
   10. The Village has adopted several cats, dogs, chickens etc, and many more have adopted us. These animals occasionally wander into common areas such as classrooms or the canteen. Please let us know if you have a phobia or allergies and we will do our best to control the animals (but may not always be successful).
   11. Residents of the Village should understand that it was founded with very restricted means, with the help of the Turkish people, and at the cost of much sacrifice and hardship, and that it does not aim to make profit. They should act according to this understanding.
   12. The pine forest at the back (western side) of the Village is an important natural resource that must be protected. One should not smoke near this forest, nor litter with pieces of glass or lighters, which may cause fires.
   13. Excepting cases of illness and such mitigating circumstances, camp students must be awake at the hour of the first lecture, whether or not they attend it. High school students must attend all their lectures, and university students must attend those they have committed to at the beginning of the teaching period.
   14. Students will not be considered registered until the agreed fees have been paid. Fees will be refunded in full if the participant cancels at least a month before the start of their stay. If the participant cancels one month to 15 days before their planned stay, half of the fee will be reimbursed. After this date, and in case of departure from the Village for whatever reason, no reimbursement will be possible. If funding from certain institutions is received at a later date, students having completed their stay may be partially reimbursed.
   15. High school students and students under 18 years of age must obtain authorisation from the Village before leaving it (for instance, to go to Şirince). If they do so without permission they will be asked to leave the Village.
   16. If a student under 18 years of age is asked to leave the Village due to not acting according to these regulations, transportation from the Village will be the responsibility of their family.
   17. All prospective applicants, by sending their application, declare that they have filled it in correctly to the best of their knowledge, and pledge to uphold the present regulations.

   Participants will be informed of any extra rules to be added due to the Coronavirus before they arrive.

    

– Village Mukhtar  

Participants will be informed of any extra rules to be added due to the Coronavirus before they arrive.