A proposal for creating a memory space in Antakya after the February 6, 2023 earthquake

Events such as earthquakes and wars deeply affect societies; however, the cultural heritage lost and the pain experienced in these events should not be forgotten over time. Preserving the collective memory of such events helps societies become more resilient and protect their cultural heritage. Memory spaces and the artworks exhibited in these spaces contribute to learning from significant events and collectively sharing emotions. This study examines the methods of preserving collective memory and ensuring social cohesion in the aftermath of the February 6, 2023, earthquake in Turkey. It proposes the creation of a memory space in Antakya with the aim of commemorating the earthquake through art. This initiative seeks to contribute to the remembrance of the profound suffering and lost cultural heritage in the Antakya region and its surroundings. Within the scope of this research, the concepts of memory, individual memory, and collective memory are defined. Examples of memory spaces from both domestic and international contexts are analyzed, revealing how these spaces function after similar disasters, how they shape collective memory, and their effects on individuals. Notable reference points include the 23.5 Hrant Dink Memory Site, the Weimar-Buchenwald Concentration Camp Memorial, the Sarajevo War Childhood Museum, the Shoes on the Danube Bank Memorial, the Wenchuan Earthquake Memorial, the Kesennuma City Memorial Museum of the Great East Japan Earthquake, and Taiwan's 921 Earthquake Museum. Based on fieldwork and art therapy workshops, a proposal for establishing a memory space has been developed. The proposed memory space aims to express the traumas caused by the earthquake through art and to strengthen social solidarity. Furthermore, the importance of interactive memory spaces as crucial resources for reminding future generations of past suffering and preventing the recurrence of such tragedies is emphasized. The key role of art and community participation in the creation of memory spaces is advocated. This study ultimately aims to contribute to the development of a society resilient to future earthquakes. Keywords: Memory, Memory Space, Earthquake, Forgetting and Remembering, Collective Memory