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00:01Overlooking the Bosphorus, this majestic neoclassical building
00:06once saw travellers from all over Anatolia pass through its doors.
00:11Ayda Pasha Station, one of Turkey's oldest and most historic buildings,
00:16witnessed many significant historical events, including the rural exodus to Istanbul,
00:22which remains a vivid memory for many.
00:25It occupies a very important place in the personal memories of individuals who experienced this migration.
00:32We see reflections of this in literature, art and cinema.
00:35But since 2013, its tracks have fallen silent.
00:39Following a devastating fire in 2010, the station closed to all rail traffic.
00:45Numerous rehabilitation projects were proposed over the years,
00:49but the latest plan, to transform it into an art centre, has sparked widespread opposition.
00:56For years, protesters have gathered every Sunday, demanding the station's return to its original function,
01:02a promise made by the Minister of Culture in 2024.
01:06This is a station. This place has been a station since 1908. There's nothing else to do here.
01:13Following its 2013 closure, excavations on Ayda Pasha Station's grounds revealed elements dating back to the 5th century BC.
01:22As work on the Future Cultural and Arts Centre is set to finish in 2026,
01:27locals continue to fight for the preservation of this jewel of Turkish culture and history.
01:33Thank you very much.
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