Dolmusxpress is a bilingual, dual city based publishing project born out of the pandemic in 2020. As co-editors, T. Hürkan Urhan and I—living in Ankara and Berlin, respectively—set out to bridge the artistic worlds of these two cities. What started as a simple desire to connect through art has grown into a vibrant platform showcasing the creativity and talent of the communities we hold dear.

This project is a labor of love. Every piece of content on Dolmusxpress has been created through hard work and collaboration—not AI. Each article, feature, and interview reflects the authentic voices of artists we’ve had the privilege to work with. It’s a space where stories, ideas, and artistic expressions come together, transcending geographical boundaries.

As Hürkan aptly puts it, “it’s blood, sweat, and tears.” After months of relentless effort gathering content, curating it, and embedding it into the platform, we faced an infuriating glitch the day before launch—our logo was distorted and stretched all the way down the page. Thankfully, Korcan Ergün stepped in as our savior, swiftly resolving the issue and saving the day like a true hero.

And boom! We were online!

On December 8, 2024, Dolmusxpress came to life beyond the digital space with Dolmuschtag, an engaging workshop that embodied the collaborative and artistic spirit of our project. This event featured four dynamic performances, connecting artists and audiences through creativity and dialogue:

• 1:30 PM – 2:15 PM | Meditation: Walking in the Dark
  Led by open designer and yoga instructor İlkin Taşdelen, this meditation session invited participants to start the day with presence, inner calm, and breath awareness, fostering deeper connections with the art and people of the event.
• 2:45 PM – 3:30 PM | Workshop: Anatomy of a Song
  Berlin-based music duo HAFTW delved into their creative process, revealing how their studio decisions, arrangements, and artistic choices shape their music. Using an unreleased track from their upcoming LP, they provided a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on their craft.
• 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM | Seminar: Silenced Voices, Resilient Spirits: Freedom of Expression
  Tevfik Hürkan Urhan explored the intersection of art and activism in today’s increasingly authoritarian climate. Through compelling stories and historical insights, this seminar highlighted resilience and creativity in the face of censorship and political pressures.
• 5:45 PM – 6:30 PM | Historytelling: How Stone Turned Into Mind – A History of Computers
  Yiğitcan Erdoğan presented a captivating storytelling performance tracing humanity’s journey to create mental equals, from ancient innovations to modern breakthroughs like ChatGPT.

The workshop was a heartfelt celebration of what Dolmuşxpress stands for—connecting artists, ideas, and communities across Ankara and Berlin, through dedication, creativity, and shared experiences.

Dolmuşxpress wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of the artists, collaborators, and our shared commitment to meaningful artistic exchange. It’s a reminder of the power of community, even in challenging times, and how art can be a vehicle for connection, resilience, and hope.

Here’s to continuing this journey and fostering more connections between Ankara, Berlin, and beyond. Cheers!