Category: Features

Books
Book review: Hafsa Lodi’s ‘Modesty: A Fashion Paradox’ is essential reading, but omits details about Turkiye’s vital contribution

UAE-based American journalist Hafsa Lodi’s ‘Modesty: A Fashion Paradox’ has become the definitive read on this fast-growing global industry that marries faith with fashion. Published by Neem Tree Press in 2020, this 288-page book explores the big drivers behind the rise of modest fashion, its controversies and the main players involved. While some of the […]

Features
Five facts about Islandman’s star guests, Okay Temiz and Muhlis Berberoğlu, at Friday’s big EartH gig

This Friday, 27 January, East London venue EartH plays host to the brilliant Islandman, an electro-acoustic live trio behind some of Turkiye’s most exciting new dance music. The group have sold out shows with their combination of Turkish psychedelia and global beats, and they are forever originating. Cue virtuoso guest artists, percussionist Okay Temiz and […]

Art
Colour, culture and wellbeing: interview with Turkish Cypriot artist Ayten Nightingale ahead of her new solo exhibition

If you’re looking to discover and support Turkish creative talent outside of London, then head to theUrban Arts Studio in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, where works by painter and tapestry weaver Ayten Nightingale are currently on display as a group exhibition. From September, even more of Nightingale’s art works will be on show at the […]

Books
Celebrating the “unequalled” legacy of Azerbaijan’s great writer Nizami Ganjavi and his ‘Encyclopaedia of Literature of the East and the West’

Nizami Ganjavi is one of Azerbaijan’s greatest poets and thinkers. Following a decree by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, in Janury, 2021 was declared the “Year of Nizami Ganjavi”. The aim is to promote Nizami throughout the world and to further explore his legacy. It should be noted that although there […]

Features
Asia Minor: a progressive rock band from France with a Turkish touch

It was the end of 70s and early 80s, when punk became mainstream, and Franco-Turkish combo progressive rock band Asia Minor hit their stride, releasing two albums back to back. Suddenly the band was attracting the attention of all prog lovers and prominent musicians of the era, including Alan Parsons, who was recording an album […]

Features
Five things we discovered about Texan country rockers Ottoman Turks

When it comes to the world of Turks, T-VINE loves to cover the cool and the quirky, and so we were intrigued to learn about an American band called Ottoman Turks. Hailing from Dallas, Texas, here are five brilliant things we discovered about these booty-shaking, country rockers. Turkey of old inspires band name The four-piece […]

Features
Is KKTC Istanbul the coolest diplomatic Instagram account in the world?

“Curated by TRNC Consulate General in İstanbul” reads the bio for KKTCIstanbul, the arts and cultural Instagram account of the Istanbul Consulate for the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus (TRNC). Running since the summer of 2020, KKTCIstanbul’s 132 posts to date are a visual feast of Turkish Cypriot life, past and present. A cursory glance […]

Books
The incredible tale of Frederick Bruce Thomas, aka ‘The Black Russian’, who brought Jazz and music hall culture to Turkey

Any visitor to Turkey will know how important music is to the local culture. From Turkish pop to Ottoman-inspired classical music (Türk Sanat Müziği), folk (Halk Müziği) and the blues (Türkü), live renditions can be seen and heard everywhere. One of the country’s biggest modern entertainment traditions has been the gazino – a high-end cabaret […]