Described in Turkish as ‘12 ayın sultanı’ (the queen of 12 months), Ramazan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. During this 30-day period, Muslims fast between the hours of sunrise and sunset as they consciously reconnect with God (Allah) and their faith. Any good deeds and all prayers during this time count […]
While none of the four Parliamentary candidates of Turkish heritage were successful in their bid to become a British MP in last week’s General Election, a record number of politicians from Black and Ethnic Minority (BME) backgrounds have been elected. There are now 41 BME MPs, up from 25 in 2010. Ten of the 18 […]
Turkey commemorated two devastating legacies of World War One in back-to-back events in April. On the 24th, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Prince Charles and 21 heads of state in Çanakkale to mark the centenary of the Gallipoli landings, which claimed 140,000 lives. It was a day of reconciliation between former foes, mixed with patriotic […]
A successful Turkish Cypriot businessman is among three new Dragons entering the Den for series 13, the BBC announced on Tuesday. Retail king Touker Suleyman, whose business portfolio includes fashion brands Hawes & Curtis and Ghost, joins Moonpig.com founder Nick Jenkins and Sarah Willingham, creator of restaurant chain The Bombay Bicycle Club and existing Dragons […]
Conservative MEP Daniel Hannan will be the keynote speaker at two events in Girne, North Cyprustoday helping to raise vital funds for the SOS Children’s Village in Lefkoşa. A lunch event has been organised at Deniz Kızı Hotel, situated to the west of Girne. The entry price of 70Tl (£20.00) includes a full Niazi special kebab buffet […]
A London-based Turkish Cypriot theatre group created by renowned actor Osman Balıkçıoğlu is putting on a special variety show to raise money for a cancer charity in North Cyprus. Taking place at St Monica’s Hall in Palmers Green, Balıkçıoğlu Cabaret Theatre has teamed up with stand-up comedian Ümit Dandul for two back-to-back variety shows on […]
The Yunus Emre Institute is staging a free folk music concert at its central London venue this Friday. The special event includes narrator Aydın Mehmet Ali, who will explain the story behind each song, which will be performed by Zöhre Ülker (vocals, bağlama / long-necked lute), Ayşe Akgül (bender / frame drum) and Cahit Baylav (violin). Sarı Gelin […]
Şaban Kazim emerged the winner from last month’s competition for amateur stand-up comedians at the world famous Comedy Store in Leicester Square. The 31-year-old competed against 25 other acts to make it through to the final, where he beat five others to take the King Gong award. The southeast Londoner wasn’t on the original line-up […]
Three Turkish folk music legends take to the stage in London this Saturday to perform popular new and classic Turkish folk and Anatolian rock songs. Bülent Ortaçgil is a guitarist, composer and singer who first stared recording music in 1971. His career has led him to work with some of Turkey’s leading musical lights including […]
Students primarily from North Cyprus have launched a new group for young Turkish Cypriots in the UK. Called Kibrisli Turk Gencligi Ingiltere (KTGI), the group intends to form a strong professional and social network for those studying in Britain, along with promoting their Turkish Cypriot culture and identity. It is being supported by the TRNC […]
