Turkish Forum

Tag: Istanbul

  • Istanbul Cracks Down on Outdoor Eating, Drinking

    Istanbul Cracks Down on Outdoor Eating, Drinking

    Dorian Jones | Istanbul, Turkey

    Turks shop at an open air market as part of the preparations for the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, in Istanbul, Turkey, September 29, 2008 (file photo) Photo: AP
    Turks shop at an open air market as part of the preparations for the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, in Istanbul, Turkey, September 29, 2008 (file photo) Photo: AP

    Local authorities in Istanbul have been seizing outdoor tables at local bars and cafes while customers are still eating and drinking in one city’s most popular entertainment districts. Though officials claim the diners were removed because they were obstructing street traffic, some suspect a wave of conservatism has washed over the city days before the Muslim world begins celebrating Ramadan.

    Hundreds of restaurant and bar workers and owners marched through the center of Istanbul to protest the crackdown on drinking and eating outside. One restaurant owner expressed his anger.

    “We were 10 people working in this restaurant. Now seven or eight will be laid off,” he said. “We don’t know if we can even pay the rent or the utility bills. We may have to shut down completely.”

    The controversy erupted earlier this week when dozens of officials descended on the Asmalimescit area of the city and seized tables and chairs outside cafes and bars while customers were eating and drinking.

    Even though the owners paid for the right to use the streets, authorities declared they were causing an obstruction to pedestrians and cars.

    In the past, the Asmalimescit area was home to the city’s once large Greek and Armenian minorities, and for centuries has been a favorite place to eat and drink, while listening to traditional street music.

    In the past decade it has undergone a revival and is now a trendy place to party for both locals and tourists.

    According to media reports earlier this week, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan passed the neighborhood in a car and was shocked. He asked the city’s mayor to act.

    That suspicion is shared by some, who now have to drink indoors at the height of summer.

    “It’s silly, it’s stupid. Everybody loves it here, to drink outside and they killed our culture to drink here,” said one person interviewed. “Nobody comes here nowadays, the bars and cafes are closed. You know our government has some religious sensitivity and I think it’s because of this.”

    One woman supports the official reason given for the ban – but also suspects religious motives are involved.

    “I thought I was against it the first time I heard about it. But now it’s ok,” she said. “I guess it’s better that we can walk better. But there is a connection that it, is for the coming the Ramazan as well.”

    Ramadan – or as it’s called in Turkey, Ramazan – starts next week and is the Muslim month of fasting. It’s always a time of tension in Turkey between the pious and secular communities.

    A recent survey conducted by The World Values Survey, shows a rise in conservative beliefs during the fasting season. Of those polled, 44 percent said restaurants should be closed during fasting periods in Ramadan, a belief held by 39 percent in the 2007 poll.

    At Istanbul’s Spice Market, just a short walk from the city’s entertainment district, people are stocking up on traditional foods like dates and olives, traditionally eaten at Iftar meal that breaks the day of fasting during Ramadan.

    Speaking to people, there is a mood of both pragmatism and fortitude with this year’s fasting in traditionally the hottest month of the year.

    One man said he is undecided. He said he will fast, but it depends on the weather. He said his working hours are very long, so he has to think accordingly.

    “The days are longer now and the weather is hot. Till noon it is okay, but afternoon is difficult. Hunger is not problem, but thirst is the hard part,” he said.

    Another man said such hardship can only bring him only to God.

    “May God give us our strength to help our fasting,” he said. “Even though the days are longer and the weather is hot, fasting will be good for us.”

    Turkey is preparing itself for a long and difficult month, with the country in the grips of a heat wave. But for the thousands of restaurant and bar workers in Istanbul set to lose their jobs, there is a strong feeling that in this year’s Ramadan, they are paying for the religious sensitivities of others.

    via Istanbul Cracks Down on Outdoor Eating, Drinking | Europe | English VOA

  • Kevin Spacey will be in Istanbul

    Kevin Spacey will be in Istanbul

    Published by Ozgur Tore

    kevin spacey richard iiiCo-commissioned by and produced in association with Istanbul Theatre Festival (IKSV) & Istanbul Municipal Theatres, Athens & Epidaurus Festival, Centro Niemeyer Spain, Hong Kong Arts Festival, Kay & McLean Productions and Singapore Repertory Theatre.

    Istanbul Theatre Festival (IKSV) & Istanbul Municipal Theatres will host a special co-production in October sponsored by Vodafone RED. Directed by Sam Mendes and featuring Kevin Spacey in the title role, “Richard III” will be in Istanbul in October with five special performances.

    “Richard III”, the production of which the world premiere has taken place on June 29 and made tremendous effect, will be put on stage by Istanbul Theatre Festival (IKSV) & Istanbul Municipal Theatres by the sponsorship of Vodafone RED on the nights of Wednesday, October 5; Thursday, October 6; Friday, October 7; Saturday, October 8 and Sunday, October 9 at 20.30 at Harbiye Muhsin Ertugrul Stage.

    Kevin Spacey says: “Sam is one of the finest directors I have had the pleasure to work with and to gain this opportunity is beyond my wildest hopes. I love Sam’s perspective on a role, carving and shaping the actor. With such a remarkable character before me I have a feeling this one is going to be memorable experience. It is also my hope to bring a comprehensive educational programme and opportunities for emerging artists along our travels, making an argument for the living theatre in all major cities we will visit throughout 2011. We’re delighted that Bank of America Merrill Lynch has come on board for another season as our sponsor and I applaud their continued support for our work.”

    After the performances in Athens, Hong Kong and Spain, “Richard III” will come to Istanbul in October for five special performances. Following the performances in Istanbul on October, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, the production will continue the tour with performances in Beijing, Singapore and Sydney

    via Kevin Spacey will be in Istanbul.

  • Istanbul says: Peace Now

    Istanbul says: Peace Now

    Istanbul says: Peace Now

    Source : Orsola Casagrande – Global Rights | 24 July 2011

    On Thursday evening the heart of Istanbul, Istiklal Caddesi, filled with people asking for peace

    The heat is quite bad in Istanbul these days. The humidity level being so high that one can hardly breath. Yet there is a frantic activity up and down Istiklal Caddesi, Istanbul main shopping and meeting street. Turists mix with locals going shopping or for a coffee or ice cream. Yet at the beginning of Istiklal Caddesi (or the end, according to one’s position), Tunel, there is the sound of a drum coming.

    The sun has just began its descend on the Bosphorus. The drum sound call for attention. Indeed what has begun as a small crowd is becoming larger and larger. The first banners appear. They say “We want peace, now”. Other smaller banners and posters ask for rights and justice. “We want Hatip Dicle in parliament”, say one poster. And another is written in Kurdish and asks for justice and freedom of languages. “Languages cannot be banned”. And then there are posters condeming the recent attack on singer Aynur Dogan at a concert in a middle class poshy area of Istanbul.

    The demonstration has been called to ask for peace and justice. Aydin says that “we are tired of the continuous harassment, attacks, linch attempts only because we are Kurds”. There are many Turks as well. “Of course we are here, – says Ahmet – because we want to show solidarity with our Kurdish brothers and sisters, but also we are here for ourselves. There is no freedom for you as well – Ahmet continues – if your next door neighbour is not free”. The drums sound grows louder. Slogans are chanted as the large crowd starts to move down Istiklal Caddesi among the curious looks of the tourists.

    These past weeks, indeed since the election on 12 June, have been hard. Repression and violence against the Kurds have indeed never stopped. “We want peace – says a middle age woman – we want the war to stop. We, Kurds, are ready for peace – she adds with a sad tone in her voice – but are the others ready?” And with “the others” clearly she means the state, the government. “Because to make peace – says a woman next to her – you need two people”. And this is the big question mark in people’s mind. Is the government ready for peace? Is the government ready to talk about peace? For Ismail the answer is to be found on the recent events. “Look – he said carrying a rainbow peace flag – what happened in Silvan, [he is referring to the military operation leading to the death of 13 soldiers last week] is clearly a provocation. The state does not want peace. Actually – he adds – the state is afraid of peace”. Ismail has a point. Clearly war means business. “War takes away – he says – a huge part of this country budget and yet there are those who benefit from this”.

    The crowd walks noisily down Istiklal Caddesi, the music is louder, the slogans and the cheers replace the music from time to time. There are some artists among the crowd. They came to show their support for Kurdish singer Aynur Dogan. “When censorship and hate reach culture – says one young musician – it means things are really going bad”. The protest against Aynur at a concert last week has impressed many. Indeed Turkish television channel have been hosting programs about what happened. Artists have been quick and united in showing solidarity to Aynur. But what is scaring, like young musician Memo says is the fact that hate was addressed towards the singer but even more towards the Kurdish language. Intolerance towards the Kurdish language is still so bad. “Imagine – says Memo – if the same attitude was to be shown towards the singer singing in Spanish… But no, hate came quickly to the surface when Kurdish language was spoken”. Despite the fact that times are difficult, and it might be even harder in the coming months, people marching along Istiklal Caddesi are if not optimistic positive about the fact that “only by repeating again and again that we want peace, we can change things”. The leaflet handed out during the demonstration by members of the Turkis writers trade unions is a poem by Muzaffer Tayyip Uslu, called Baris, Peace. It is not just a hope. “Well yes – says one of the union’s members – it is more than hope. Because we know that in the end peace will prevail”. Levent Tuzel, Istanbul Independent MP elected with the Labor, Democracy and Freedom Block, speaks of the need for justice and rights. He says that “we contest the election to win rights for everybody. Yet – he adds – we see that 6 of our deputies are still not enjoying full rights and indeed they are denied not only rights but freedom. That’s why – he adds among the chanting crowd – our battle is not finished”. Night slowly begins to embrace Istiklal Caddesi, and reaches Taksim Square where the demonstration ends and the hundreds of tourists have stopped to watch the crowd passing by. The sound of the drums fill the air once again before the crowd parts.

    via Global Rights – Istanbul says: Peace Now.

  • Blaming imagined tormentors for violence, in Oslo and in Istanbul

    Blaming imagined tormentors for violence, in Oslo and in Istanbul

    By Ron Kampeas · July 25, 2011

    The liberal blogo/Twitterspheres have, legitimately, been making mincemeat of a meme emerging from sectors of the right wing that Anders Behring Breivik, the alleged author of the Oslo massacre, is a bad, bad, man — but, gosh, he might have a point about multiculturalism.

    Here, specifically, is Max Blumenthal on Twitter, deriding, with considerable justification, a Jerusalem Post editorial that made that argument:

    Echoing Breivik, Jerusalem Post’s editors denounce Norwegian gov’s commitment to multiculturalism via @DidiRemez

    And here, specifically, is Andrew Sullivan, ripping apart Bruce Bawer of Pajamas Media:

    In fact, this “madman” was, by Bruce’s own judgment, “both highly intelligent and very well read in European history and the history of modern ideas.” It is precisely this blind spot by the anti-Islamist right that made me and others get off the train. They have every right to point out supine government capitulation to restrictions on free speech, and the worst forms of Islamist violence and rhetoric. I second every one of them. Where they went over the top was in the demonization of an entire religion, and in fomenting the Steynian specter that Muslim aliens were bent on destroying Christian Europe by demographic numbers, and that all this was aided and abetted by every European leader in a multicultural, left-wing conspiracy to destroy Christendom.

    So what’s with my “specificallys.”

    Here’s Max Blumenthal, on July 17, interviewing Turkish Jews about their predicament in Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s Turkey:

    Turkish Jews experienced unprecedented levels of anxiety during Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip in 2008 and ‘09 and after Israel’s killing of 9 passengers on the Mavi Marmara in 2010. After the Mavi Marmara incident, the Turkish Chief Rabbi issued a statement mildly condemning the Israeli raid. My interviewees told me that despite Prime Minister Recep Erdogan’s declaration that “looking upon hatred at the Jews is…unacceptable,” (which they considered helpful) extremists scapegoated local Jews. Though the reactionary mood has dissipated, the trauma of shrinking from public view for several days was an experience my interviewees have not forgotten.

    Neither of my interview subjects objected to my opinion that Zionism imperils Jews around the world, and especially outside the West. Indeed, their testimonies were proof of the crisis Israel has created in Jewish diaspora life. At the same time they displayed a complete lack of interest in engaging with the situation, either by examining the roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, understanding the occupation, or developing a clear position on the issue. While Israel’s actions — and the reactionary tendencies of radical elements inside Turkey — undermine their sense of security, the Jewish state remains a distant abstraction that has only the most fleeting connection to their identity. And the Palestinians do not even merit a second thought.

    And here’s Andrew Sullivan today, quoting same Blumenthal interview:

    Israel doesn’t seem to be helping them out much. Max Blumenthal interviews two young Turkish Jews.

    Blumenthal, at least, has the excuse of writing his twaddle five days before Oslo. Sullivan, on the other hand, is somehow capable of balancing two ideas completely inconsistent with one another within a few blog posts.

    As one might have guessed, I’m sympathetic to the notion that bad people who set out to harm innocents need excuses less than they need pretexts. In Norway or in Istanbul, extremists are going to seek out their hated targets whatever the state of multiculturalism or the actions of Israel.

    But OK, let’s entertain for a moment the notion that the ideas that supposedly drive extremists into their rages bear a responsibility for the violence that ensues.

    If they do in Istanbul, they do in Oslo. Positing anything else is rank hypocrisy.

    via Blaming imagined tormentors for violence, in Oslo and in Istanbul | Capital J | JTA – Jewish & Israel News.

  • İstanbul Graffiti Fest spreads positive message of street art

    İstanbul Graffiti Fest spreads positive message of street art

    Grafitti IstanbulA winding wall of vibrant color, punctuated by the sharp smell of aerosol spray paint and a pulsing R&B soundtrack, provided the backdrop to a melee of skateboarders, rollerbladers and airborne BMX bikes.

    This was the Meeting of AllStars Festival 2011, a celebration of street art that hit Taksim Gezi Park on Sunday in an explosion of color and sound.

    Kicking off at 11 a.m. and continuing to 8 p.m., the festival allowed participants the opportunity to literally blast their creative flair on a 2.5-meter-high wall constructed around the perimeter of the leafy city oasis. Approximately 60 graffiti artists from all over Turkey and Europe were featured, including Amok156, Koacleo, Texas, Choma Dryhure, Repuz, Amd, Hero S2komeria, Tab, Funk, Okdose and Misk.

    With an 80-meter stretch of wall set aside for amateurs not included on the VIP guest list, projects that materialized throughout the course of the day ranged from simple tags and sketches to more intricate displays and political statements. But it wasn’t all about the spray painting. As the day went on, attention turned to the BMX performances, break dancing, rollerblading and skateboard exhibitions that took place, with most of the focus devoted to the professionals showcasing their talents in a large half pipe ramp situated in the middle of the park. Power FM radio station was on-scene to provide pulsing R&B, hip hop and dubstep tracks, which were enhanced by a concert from rap artist Ramiz and a set played by DJ Funky C.

    The event was first organized in 2008 in İstanbul by the Youth Council of the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality, where over 40 graffiti artists from Turkey and beyond came together to breathe new life into a 200-meter-long platform attached to the Old Galata Bridge. The festival took a two-year break, returning this summer with the aim of becoming an annual event and providing a diverse multicultural artistic platform that will simultaneously serve to introduce and develop an understanding of graffiti art in Turkey.

    Whilst graffiti art is not an alien concept in Turkey, and indeed a sharp eye on a stroll through Beyoğlu or other central neighborhoods will quickly pick up an interesting portfolio of stencil graffiti messages and political stamps, it has not developed as a vibrant art culture in the way it has in many other countries.

    The municipality’s decision is thus an interesting and forward thinking one; despite the gritty street credentials and vandalism with which the graffiti movement continues to be associated, there is recognition of the positive aspects of street art as a constructive means to channel young people’s energy into a positive outlet. Whilst the last thing the municipality wants to do is encourage a wave of angst-stricken teenage spray-painters to lay siege on the city, there is an appreciation that if encouraged in controlled environments, the graffiti art culture has more than just a little potential to serve as a vibrant platform for dialogue and expression amongst younger generations in Turkey.

    Despite the fact that graffiti art has been criminalized and carries heavy penalties in many European countries, there remains an endorsement of the positive aspects of the art in the form of international festivals. One such event is the Meeting of Styles, established in Germany in 2002, that has since gone from strength to strength, spreading to 16 countries throughout Europe, the Far East and even to the US.

    Perhaps most influential in the changing face of graffiti, however, has been the rise to global recognition of revered graffiti artist Banksy, the mysterious, faceless Bristol-born graffiti artist, political activist, film director and painter, whose satirical stencil drawings, combining dark humor with compelling messages, have been featured on street corners and walls around the world.

    As the great man himself once said, “Nothing in the world is more common than unsuccessful people with talent; leave the house before you find something worth staying in for.”

    Today’s Zaman

     

  • eMBA Field Report: Istanbul, East Meets West

    eMBA Field Report: Istanbul, East Meets West

    Ashay Shah is an MBA student at INSEAD and is spending his summer as an eMBA working with Pozitron in Istanbul, Turkey.

    I just completed two weeks at Pozitron, a mobile software company in Turkey. The INSEAD summer break only begins in the first week of July, so we have a bit of a late start compared to the US schools. Landed here smack in the middle of the hottest week of the summer, but the beautiful Bosphorus and the veritable buzz of this city makes you forget all about the heat.

    The Endeavor Entrepreneurs, Fatih and Firat Isbecer, have been incredibly helpful and their generosity and attention towards all the company’s employees have clearly been a crucial factor in Pozitron’s successful journey so far. In many ways, my project here (to help find strategic and financial partnerships) has become much easier because of the company’s reputation!

    Meanwhile, one of the most enlightening experiences for me has been learning about the Turks and their culture. Istanbul is geographically where the East meets the West, but what is more interesting is that it is culturally so as well. Doing business here requires a keen sense of local manners. And much the same as in India, every meeting here entails sipping 1-2 cups of tea or coffee (as it would be impolite to refuse), which means you are quite wired by the time you are done in the evening!

    Overall, my experience so far has certainly exceeded (already high) expectations, and I hope it continues to do so. Skimming through other eMBA blog entries, clearly this is not a unique feeling.

    via eMBA Field Report: Istanbul, East Meets West – Entrepreneurship Center | Endeavor Global.