TO GO WITH AFP STORY BY FULYA OZERKAN / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY MENTION OF THE ARTIST UPON PUBLICATION - TO ILLUSTRATE THE EVENT AS SPECIFIED IN THE CAPTION
This photograph taken on October 7, 2024, in the Fatih district of Istanbul, shows an installation in Mugla marble of Sitting Bather by Elif Uras, one of three installations entitled 'Chamber of whispers' (2023) placed inside the 16th-century Zeyrek Cinili Hammam or Turkish bath. For centuries, hammams were central to Ottoman society, and although they fell out of use with the advent of running water, many are being restored to revive this ancient ritual bathing tradition. Often featured in older Turkish films, hammam scenes are highly entertaining, with women not only bathing but enjoying these historical bathhouses as a place to socialise, to eat, to drink and even dance. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY MENTION OF THE ARTIST UPON PUBLICATION - TO ILLUSTRATE THE EVENT AS SPECIFIED IN THE CAPTION