The Contribution of Applied Folklore to Urban Tourism: The Case of Mardin

Abstract

Cultural tourism has become one of the most preferred forms of tourism globally, along side summer, sea, and winter tourism. Keyelements in cultural tourism in clude places of cultural heritage, museums, markets reflecting the city's spirit, restaurants, baths, fountains, natural formations, and agricultural areas. Inaddition to cultural spaces, folklore materials such as rituals based on beliefs, dances, festivities, and culinary culture have gained prominence in recent years among cultural tourism venuesand activities. It is crucial for urban folklore to maintain its connection with the past while adapting to contemporary conditions and sometimes leveraging them for self-realization. Only through this process can tradition be carried forward to the present and future. Since the acceptance of the intangible cultural heritage Project contract in Turkey, significant steps have been taken nation wide to preserve an cestral traditions, customs, places, and practices. The positive developments in the intangible cultural heritage process in Mardin since 2002 are important for the preservation and subsequent promotion of the city's historical and cultural fabric. Public institutions continue the iron going efforts on thesubject. In this study, practical folklore examples from recent years are introduced, and existing orpartially inadequate practices are addressed. Recommendations have been proffered to facilitate there location of urban tourism to a distinctive paradigm by addressing non-existent practical folklore examples. This initiative aims to transcend the prevalent pursuits of silver and coppercommerce, as well as constrained historical site excursions. The arrangement of cultural spaces suitable for outdoor activities is also proposed among there commendations, in conjunction with the existing "living museum" where numerous activities are centralized in a single center within the city.