(PAST EVENT) 18th Contemporary Istanbul @ Tersane Istanbul
Contemporary Istanbul, the city's premier international art fair, is back for its 18th edition, bringing together art enthusiasts, collectors, curators, and artists from around...
The Byzantine Chronicles: The (Re-imagined) History of Byzantium from Constantine to...
The Byzantine Chronicles, a new blog by Yabangee contributor Timothy Mottram, sets out to shed light on some of Byzantium’s history through fictitious narratives. Each...
The Iron Church: Bulgarian Heritage in Istanbul
I’ve often passed in front of this church and wondered at its brilliance because it does actually look like a source of light. Maybe...
Foodie Frolics: Gourmet Adventures in Istanbul with Sally McDonald
The first time I met Sally McDonald of Foodie Frolics I asked her what had brought her to Istanbul. I'm always curious about what...
There’s No Such Thing as a Simple Turkish Wedding
The marriage bureaucrats at the Şişli marriage bureau seem like the unhappiest people in the world. Just a few meters from the miniature theater, where everyday...
The Interwoven Worlds of Yaşar Kemal and Slim Memed
Before Orhan Pamuk came to prominence in the West and launched Turkey once more into the international literary scene, Yaşar Kemal was Turkey’s best-known...
The Dönme: A Profile of a Hidden People
“A Doenmeh friend of mine told me his father had informed him that his father’s mother used to go to the beach every Friday...
A Guide to Traditional Turkish Herbal Remedies
Being a proud plant mother and a witch-in-training, I couldn't find a better place to live than in Istanbul. The city thrives with spice...
23 Turkish Phrases I Wish Someone Had Taught Me
There are a number of phrases that Turks use in daily life that you may not find properly explained in your Intro to Turkish...
Zululuzu, Portuguese Theatre’s Turkish Debut
They spoke to me of people, and of humanity.
But I've never seen people, or humanity.
I've seen various people, astonishingly dissimilar,
Each separated from the next...
Four Masters of Turkish New Wave Cinema
A notable player in the current world of art house cinema, Turkey has seen a new wave emerge and establish itself. Amongst others, there...
Eleven Things No Turkish Home Should Be Without
Eleven essentials for the Turkish home:
1. Hamam kit – Regular trips to the hamam are an Istanbul institution. With this in mind it’s no...
We’re Jammin: Turkey’s Reggae Scene
The Reggae scene in Turkey has grown exponentially, especially in the last 10 years or so. The last decade has seen an explosion of...
Tribute to Ayran: An Expat Love Story
Writing about the allure of ayran has been on my agenda for over a year now. Every time an expat informs me that they...
Discussing the Dönme with Artist and Researcher C.M. Kösemen (Part 1)
It is well known that the Ottoman Empire was a place of incredible cosmopolitanism. What is often overlooked is the existence of “syncretic” peoples,...
Walking the Rainbow: Istanbul’s Colorful Stairs
Protest in Turkey can take many forms. Sadly enough, few of them will leave a positive imprint on your memory: TOMAs and tear gas,...
(Sep 2 – 14) 27th Istanbul Jazz Festival from IKSV
From the organizer:
Organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) and sponsored by Garanti BBVA for 23 years with the support of...
Review: Sutra Visits Zorlu Performing Arts Center
One of the highlights of my incredible solo backpacking trip around China in the winter of 2012 was seeing a traditional kung fu performance...
The Pursuit of Happiness in the ‘Bul
In this megacity, which delivers stress in seemingly increasing dosages year by year, I’m realizing that it is essential to wear a different pair...
Insider Trading: Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamam
I am fascinated by hamams. Their architecture (those gorgeous holed domes), their history (the ancient ritual of public bathing) and the leisure (they provide...
Watch Out: The Cross in the Golden Horn
Minarets and mosque domes, side by side with skyscrapers, dominate today's Istanbul skyline. Roaming the streets of Fatih district, one quickly forgets that for many centuries...
Look Familiar? Five Movies Set in Istanbul
People say that cities have a personality. I disagree. For me, a city has a genre. A category of literature or movies that jumps...
Top 5 Bookshops in Istanbul
Istanbul sure does have a lot to offer when it comes to the world of books - there are boutique retailers, hidden stores, retail...
A Glimpse at the Magic of Turkish Tea
When you traverse the streets of Turkey you can see it all around. Everyone is sitting around consuming it. It’s red, it’s hot and...