Eco-village Ithaca

Liz Walker, who hung Goethe's quote "Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now." above her desk, would turn to read these words and re-motivate herself whenever she encountered a difficulty. Neither escaping the cage to be free, nor fleeing Plato's cave and turning one's face to the sun is easy. When two women in the US set out with the dream of establishing an ecovillage, they faced countless obstacles, but Ecovillage Ithaca was established by overcoming every difficulty.

Liz Walker believes that the impact of someone living a 'green life' will spread in waves, affecting many other lives. The notes she took from her diary thus give hope to those who share similar dreams elsewhere on the planet. There is no single way or single form to establish an ecovillage. Indeed, there is no need for such standardization. Every community, every culture, and different geographies can have methods and ways that are completely dissimilar to each other. Taking inspiration, solidarity, and sharing, these are what make this richness unique. Unlike today's competitive and patent-oriented world, an alternative world where everything learned is unconditionally shared is opening up before us.

Yeni İnsan Yayınevi (New Human Publishing House) initiated the discussion on what the values of ecovillages could be in general with its book Ecovillages: Our New Route. Now, with Ecovillage Ithaca, it has chronicled a personal experience. We intend to continue this journey with different experiences from different geographies.

"This meaningful and heartfelt perspective, written by one of the founders of a successful ecovillage, should be read by anyone planning to establish their own ecovillage or community." Diana Leafe Christian (Author of Creating a Life Together)