Hilltop museum aspires to double its visitor count
Expanded Coverage: Baksı Museum in Bayburt Prepares for Busy Cultural Season
The Baksı Museum, renowned for its eclectic mix of exhibitions, workshops, concerts, and festivals in Bayburt, Turkey, aims to double its annual visitor count to approximately 80,000 this year. Founded 15 years ago by painter and academic Professor Hüsamettin Koçan, the museum continues to be a cultural cornerstone and a significant contributor to local tourism.
Located in Bayraktar village, this architectural marvel perches atop a hill overlooking the Çoruh Valley and lies 45 kilometers from the city center. Since its opening to the public in 2010, the museum has garnered several accolades, including the 2014 Council of Europe Museum Prize, the Turkish Parliament Honor Award, and the 2017 Culture and Tourism Ministry Art Institution of the Year. Most recently, Forbes Türkiye listed Baksı Museum as the top hidden gem among Turkey's museums.
The museum typically welcomes around 40,000 visitors yearly, but with a full calendar of events planned for this season, it anticipates a surge in attendance. Speaking to the state-run Anadolu Agency, Koçan revealed exciting plans for the museum. Sculptor Seçkin Pirim's solo exhibition, "Zamanlı Zamansız" (Timed Untimed), is set to open in June. Koçan also emphasized that the Çoruh River's increasing significance in the contemporary art scene will be reflected in the museum's upcoming programming.
Events such as Talks on the Çoruh River, Utopia Workshops, Women's Table, and Anatolia Awards will invite prominent scholars and experts from around the world to Bayburt. As Koçan shared, this year marks a new phase for the museum, with extraordinary viewer demand already at 40 to 45 percent capacity before the official season begins. If the current trend continues, the museum may face space constraints and will need to utilize hotels in the city center and university facilities for events.
Reflecting on Bayburt's growing role in the global museum scene, Koçan stressed the importance of local authorities supporting these institutions. The city boasts rich traditions in architecture, cuisine, music, and storytelling, which should be leveraged for cultural and economic tourism purposes as well as educational initiatives for future generations. By preserving these traditions and fostering community engagement, the Baksı Museum continues to serve as a vibrant center for cultural exchange and artistic expression in Bayburt.
- The Baksı Museum's cultural season ahead promises diverse events in lifestyle, such as a solo exhibition by Sculptor Seçkin Pirim titled "Zamanlı Zamansız."
- The museum's events calendar includes workshops, talks, and awards in education and self-development, like the Utopia Workshops and the Anatolia Awards.
- Food and drink enthusiasts can look forward to the Women's Table, an event showcasing Bayburt's culinary traditions.
- For those interested in fashion-and-beauty, travel, home-and-garden, or general news, local authorities are encouraged to support institutions like Baksı Museum to preserve the city's rich traditions, enhancing Bayburt's cultural and economic tourism potential.
