I moved to the Van region of eastern Turkey in 2010 to teach photography at Yuzuncu Yil University. Even before arriving, I knew the region was shaped by a rich history, dramatic landscapes, and remote mountain villages. As a photographer, I was drawn to explore the relationship between people and this remarkable geography. The project takes its title from Tusba—the ancient Urartian name for Van, meaning the City of the Sun. Inspired by this connection, I began photographing the region in 2011. Over the following six years, I travelled through remote mountain villages such as Toreli, Alacayar, Bilgi, and Uzuntekne, photographing people whose lives continue to be shaped by seasonal rhythms, animal husbandry, and a close relationship with the land. Rather than seeking extraordinary moments, I became interested in the quiet dignity of everyday life and in the ways people adapt to a demanding natural environment. The time I spent in these villages allowed me to develop a deeper connection with both the region and the people who live there. Gradually, the project became more than a photographic record of a place; it became a personal exploration of the enduring relationship between people, nature, and everyday life.