rainbow01 panorama

This photo captures a moment from a local Rainbow gathering retreat in the mountains near Artvin, eastern Turkey—practically at the edge of the Caucasus. Turkish participants organized this retreat far from home, setting up a temporary community in nature. In keeping with Rainbow gathering practices, everyone shared healthy, non-salt meals and lived simply together.

Participants sat in a circle, emphasizing non-hierarchical organization and consensus decision-making. The gathering was based on peace, mutual aid, and respect for the environment. People from various backgrounds came together to connect, cook, and enjoy the natural surroundings, embodying the movement’s core values of freedom and harmony. For us, this retreat marked the beginning of our journey back from the easternmost part of Turkey to the west.