Türk Folklor Araştırmaları Derneği Dergisi

Öz

Today, city centers, especially historical city centers, are places that are renewed and opened to tourism, and in these places, practices that emphasize the nostalgic, local, authentic and traditional are at the forefront. Hamamönü and its surroundings, located in the old city center of Ankara, were opened to tourism after renovation works started in 2006. The practices in the region are based on "bringing back the old charm of the region", "feeling the social atmosphere of the past" and "reliving the nostalgic days". The local government's use of traditional architecture, traditional imagery and emphasis on nostalgia was followed by the use of authentic designs and traditional elements by businesses in the region. This study focuses on nostalgia-oriented discourses and activities and how they are received by visitors to Hamamönü. For this purpose; firstly, the process that led to the renewal and revitalization works in cities and the transformation of Hamamönü within this process; then, the discourses and activities emphasizing nostalgia and authenticity in the region and the opinions of visitors are included. Within the scope of the study, in addition to the information obtained from interviews with people who visited Hamamönü, user comments under the title of Hamamönü on virtual travel platforms and participatory dictionaries were also used as data. In Hamamönü, it is seen that the discourses of the project implementers such as "the past will be revived" and "nostalgic days will be experienced" and the activities for this purpose are embraced by the visitors. In addition, Hamamönü has brought many historical, religious and cultural images and structures to the forefront in the process of renewal, and has become an authentic and nostalgic place with activities identified with Hamamönü in the memory of the citizens.