Page 29 - Журнал «Русский Берег» #13-2022

RUSSIAN COAST | № 5/13 2022 ГЕРОЙ НОМЕРА | MAGAZINE'S HERO

uhtar in Turkish means “the head know, it would probably be very cool if the modern transport systems
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of the settlement”, the most suitable were actively used here, for example, a high-speed train. Imagine,
Russian word – “the headman”. He is a high-speed line from Kemer to Gazipasa, so that you can get from
Munofficially called the mayor of the district the airport to the airport in 1 hour, for example?”
(Mahmutlar), although this is not quite legally correctly. “The Russian Coast” — “Today the face of Alanya is
However, Mahmutlar is a special district. It stands out from the rapidly changing. If earlier people came here mainly
overall development of Alanya both by the modern high-altitude to relax, now many people go here to live and all year
complexes, and special rhythm of life, more like the Miami Beach, round, and these are mostly foreigners.”
and even by its own microclimate. Many expats living in Alanya A.T. – “I think that a large number of foreigners work is very useful
admit that it’s a couple of degrees colder here in the summer, and for Turkey. They give the region an opportunity to develop. Often
it’s better blown up by the winds, some even come here to swim – these are wealthy educated people, who not only spend their money
they say that the sea is cleaner here. Mahmutlar is also considered here, but could also bring great benefits to the society by developing
the most “Russian” district of Alanya, so it has been just natural for their business here, working in the modern industries, investing in the
the journalists of the Russian magazine to pay respects and present local projects. Mahmutlar today is about 50 thousand Turks and
compliments to the owner. about 60 thousand citizens of different countries — Russia, Ukraine,
Ahmet Top does not look like an ordinary official. To tell the truth, Germany, Norway. This is a big house with a great potential. I
in Alanya the officials are generally quite democratic and accessible consider it a mistake to suspend the issuance of the residence permits
to the people, but Top differs even from them. In his Instagram, he is to the foreigners in Mahmutlar. First of all, the local citizens suffered
rarely in a suit with a tie – more often he is represented at some kind from this. The foreigners simply moved to the other areas, and the
of sports events, harvesting, construction. His office, in the center of Turks, who lived by renting apartments to the foreigners, suffered
the district, opening on the state road E-400, is more similar to the serious losses.”
building trailer than the workplace of the Head of the district; and “The Russian Coast” — “You have been the Head of
books are the most important items in this trailer. A huge number Mahmutlar for many years, you know it, love it. Could
of books in all languages of the world, albums of reproductions of you fantasize a little and imagine it in 5, -10-15 years?”
the European artists, the world classics. “People bring these things A.T. – “I would like to see Mahmutlar as a city with its own city
themselves,” — says Akhmet Top, — “we try our best to have an status and, of course, the budget. This place has great prospects,
intercultural communication here.” there is room for growth and improvement. The population of
“The Russian Coast” — “You are a very unusual official. Mahmutlar is growing, which means that schools, hospitals,
Who do you feel yourself in your place? kindergartens are needed — so far there is a lack of them. We are
А.Т. — First of all, I am here to help people. Anyone can come now working to ensure that Mahmutlar has its own public hospital.
here with any request, and we will try to fulfill it. Most often, of It will be much more convenient for the people to be treated here,
course, this is something very simple — for example, to clean the than to go to Alanya. The issue of establishing an animal shelter is
beach, to help in holding some kind of a national event. Before the currently being discussed. Now the nearest one is in Demirtas. Yes,
pandemic, we, for example, at the request of the Russian diaspora, there are very good conditions, but we need our own. By the way, a
organized a procession, dedicated to the 9th of May. lot of people make requests related to animals. It is clear that many
Recently, we have mastered the technology of recycling the used people want to build cat houses here and there, but this cannot be
oil from the diesel power generators. They are available in almost done without a permission. We need a permission, and not even
every dwelling complex, and some time ago, the disposal of such an ours, but that of the Alanya municipality. We have applied, and I
amount of oil was a problem. Not anymore.” think the issue with the shelter will be resolved soon. But this is, so to
“The Russian Coast” — “Can you remember the most say, a daily work, which requires consistent meaningful efforts from
unusual request, which you were addressed with?” us, and in the long term, I believe in the people, I believe in their
A.T. – “Well, perhaps the most unusual was to build a funicular creative potential, and together we can make our common home,
railway from the mountainous regions to the beach. And, by the way, which Mahmutlar has become for many, a truly modern and livable
I did not mind, I generally think that the city loses a lot from the fact city of the future with an excellent ecology and active joyful life for
that the public transport is not well developed.” everyone!”
“The Russian Coast” — “Yes, recently there was We have missed one more detail. Ahmet Top is a farmer, an owner
information in the press how the mayor of Mahmutlar of the large banana (and not only) plantations. We left him, carrying
demanded buses for his district from the Antalya a large package of fruits grown by him. Yes, indeed, this land is
authorities.” ready not only to delight the eye, but also to feed those who live on it
A.T. – “Yes, they are already on the line. Now we have our own and transform it. And this is encouraging that such a master as Ahmet
bus routes. For the mountainous areas, this is very important! You Top is working on this land.

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