In Conversation with Performance Artist Ekin Bernay on “Atlas” in London at...

International performance art platform Performistanbul’s represented artist Ekin Bernay's new 33-minute performance titled Atlas, commissioned by V&A Museum and actualized in partnership with Performistanbul,...

(PAST EVENT) Istanbul Meyhane Nights: Experiencing Meyhane Culture – Session #2

Meyhane culture, while mostly reserved for special occasions these days, is still one of our favorite aspects of living in Turkey. The many shared...

Friendly Speed Dating: Finding Human Connection in Monthly Events

From the organizer: We created Friendly Speed Dating because we believe in the power of human connection. We understand that dating can be difficult and...

My Turkish Neighbours Who Taught Me What ‘Korkma’ Means

In Turkish, the word ‘korkma’ means ‘don’t be scared.’ How I learned this makes for an interesting story—one which strengthened my belief that people,...

Insider Trading: Nigerian Food in Istanbul

I have been trying for years to find any sort of African restaurant in Istanbul. It certainly would seem that the immigrant population is...

Life in Turkish

Life in Turkish is a story. The language, when translated into English, has a habit of sounding like a narration, a running dictation of...

What Colour is Spring?

In Istanbul it is pink. Or it is purple? Rather something in between, or – as the locals say – the color of erguvan. Every...

Take 5: Cihangir (A Morning on Başkurt Sokak)

Istanbul arguably doesn’t really have one central district, like a downtown or a city center. It is a city of many centers, each with...

In Conversation with Senem Tüzen, Director of Ana Yurdu (Motherland)

Senem Tüzen is an up and coming Ankara-born director who has been creating compelling short films since the early 2000s. Now, having just made...

3rd Istanbul Design Biennial: An Evening at Galata Greek School

Are we human? That is the main question surrounding the 3rd Istanbul Design Biennial which debuted on Saturday 22 October. “The 3rd Istanbul Design Biennial...

Who Runs this City? – Daily Istanbul Running Activities

Who rules Istanbul? If you have been here for longer than a day, you already know the answer is obvious: CATS. They are everywhere...

BU Paws: Boğaziçi University’s Dog Sanctuary

Istanbul is a city more than a little renowned among those in the know as a city of cats. Less well-known is the ancient...

Ways Out from the World: The Cappadox Experience 2017

For the third year running Cappadocia played host to Cappadox Festival, a three day music and arts extravaganza, featuring workshops on food and craft...

Yabangee Wine Tasting: An Informal Attempt

Turkey is home to some of the world’s oldest wine making traditions, particularly along its Western coastal regions near the Marmara and Aegean seas....

Coming to your senses: The Olfactor

“At no other time (than autumn) does the earth let itself be inhaled in one smell, the ripe earth; in a smell that is...

Lost in Turkey: Isparta

Located at the western end of the Taurus Mountains, Isparta is a little-visited province of pine, oak, and juniper covered slopes and abundant mountain...

The Art of Nothing in Istanbul

Nothing: nothing to do, nothing to fix. No work to go to, no garden to tend. No meetings to go to, no dance classes…absolutely...

Reflections: Getting to the Heart of ATÖLYE

For those who have read our ongoing interview series or joined us at ATÖLYE - whether it be for an Expat Spotlight, a photo...

Volunteering with Tidy Turkey: World Clean Up Day 2018

World Clean Up Day 2018 was held on Saturday 15 September. Turkey, in solidarity with many countries around the globe, responded to the call...

Walk Across Turkey: Rolling into Denizli

Friday, 14 September The next morning I woke up, broke camp, and walked over to the station’s café for a breakfast of menemen (scrambled eggs,...

Searching For Orhan Pamuk’s Hüzün in Istanbul

Before moving to Turkey, I read Orhan Pamuk’s autobiographical work “Istanbul”, in hopes of getting to know the city in advance. Let me tell...

The Stories Behind reflect’s ‘Collection Zero’

Well over a year has passed since we first sat down at ATÖLYE with reflect co-founders Ece Altunmaral and Edipcan Yıldız to discuss their...

Want a Romantic Evening? Try Kuzguncuk

When you first arrive in the city, you feel drawn to the riotous spectacle of Taksim, or to the multitudes of the street markets...

Big Burn: Istanbul’s Greatest Fire Concept Party That Really Did Happen

Anyone who’s lived here long enough has likely noticed a proliferation of high-quality music events around the city in the past several years generally...