This year’s East End Film Festival includes a Turkish strand programmed by award-winning director Tolga Karaçelik, but it’s not all about film. In keeping with their 2016 Turkish theme, those creatively diverse EEFF peeps are also staging a fantastic photography exhibition of Istanbul at sunrise. Opening tomorrow at Spitalfields Market, this exhibition showcases a selection […]
An estimated fifty thousand visitors to London’s biggest outdoor food and drink festival have the chance to sample a taste of Turkey. Top Turkish chefs Ali Cengiz and Tacim Yetis have teamed up with British chef Ed Baines to showcase Turkish cuisine at this year’s Taste of London in Regent’s Park. Earlier today, restaurateur and […]
A new exhibition by two award-winning Cypriot artists has opened today with a private viewing at the 12 Star Gallery in London. The work of Sümer Erek (pictured prepping for the exhibition) and Frixos Papantoniou will be on show to the public until 17 June. Called Of Time and Space, the two artists explain the […]
Istanbul-born Çiğdem Aslan brings her multi-lingual skills to this year’s Rebetiko Carnival, singing the songs of her roots. Çiğdem came to the forefront of the UK Rebetiko revival with her stunning 2013 debut release Mortissa, which breathed new life into 1920s and 1930s Rebetiko and Smyrnaic songs. The album received great reviews from all around […]
After a successful tour in Japan, internationally renowned Turkish Cypriot dancer Özgen is back in Britain to perform his hit show Aşk (Love) in Manchester. Working with Salford-based Taste of Cairo entertainment agency, and local dancers and musicians, Özgen will stage the show at Z‑arts Studio in Hulme at the end of June. Drawing on […]
Well-known for his love and patronage of the arts, particularly music, calligraphy and poetry, Sultan Abdülaziz (1830-1876) was less known for his own drawings and paintings. This London exhibition is a rare opportunity to see the Sultan’s artistry, from sketches through to paintings. While the subjects he depicts reflect the world around him, they also […]
As Eurovisions go, it appeared that Australia (yes, we know it’s not in Europe) had it sown up this year. Way out in front with votes from the juries of the participating countries, we were looking at a comprehensive Aussie win. Though Ukraine was picking up a few 12 points, Australia was more consistent with […]
Tonight, all roads lead to Leyton for a sell-out Saturday night Turkish extravaganza. That’s right, after a four month hiatus, the institution otherwise known as Cyprus Meze Bar is back! Singer Semra İleten headlines tonight. After a spell as a child actor in Turkey starring alongside the likes of Türkân Şoray, she pursued a career […]
Beautifully shot, with stunning performances by its young cast, the Oscar-nominated Mustang is both a rousing tale of spirited youth and a powerful, moving and timely work of engaging social cinema. It’s the beginning of summer. In a small village in northern Turkey, Lale and her four sisters are on their way home from school, […]
With no Turkey again in this year’s Eurovision, millions of Turks across Europe may be struggling to find a reason to watch the annual TV song contest. Fear not, there are at least three good reasons to tune in. First, support the contender from the country you are based in – in our case, UK […]
