Turkish Cypriot thespian Osman Balıkçıoğlu has made it his life’s mission to spread Turkish Cypriot culture to the younger generations and others interested in the heritage of his ethnic homeland. The Lefkoşa-born, London-based veteran actor and playwright’s career spans over 60 years. During this time, he has taken to the stage, and appeared on television […]
If you’re aged 18 to 35, of Turkish Cypriot heritage, in London and keen to meet people from your own ethnic background, then Okkupied Events is for you! In their first post on Instagram on 1 May, Okkupied Events co-founders, Demel Mehmet, 23, and Yasemin, 25, promise parties with “no history lessons, no politics and […]
A new group exhibition curated by British Turkish Cypriot Mustafa Hulusi is opening at Pi Artworks London at the beginning of September. Called “Everywhere was nowhere, and nowhere everywhere”, it features the works of 18 artists that explore the sensory experience outside of language, as they challenge our modern era of techno-science driven functionality that […]
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 […]
While ITV2’s Love Island is a show about finding love with a prize of £50k (which isn’t much in today’s economy), most contestants join for the possible brand deals and a chance at becoming influencers on social media. It seems the Turkish delight and Italian stallion have struck gold with their on-screen persona: not only […]
Erol Alkan is a legendary name in the world of music; ask anyone in the industry, who will tell you how this London-born, Turkish Cypriot heritage DJ/producer has changed the game over the past 25 years. Ever heard of Trash? Launched in 1997, Alkan’s seminal indie music club night was graced by everyone from Amy […]
Teoman is one of the most popular Turkish rock singers of the past 25 years. The 54-year-old star is highly regarded not just for his big hits, but also for penning his own songs. His lyrics tell tales about seemingly ordinary people and situations, sometimes funny but more often tragic; magical stories that contain a […]
Leila’s Violin is a new short film about a young Californian girl, Leila, who travels to her mother’s birthplace in Azerbaijan after her mother dies. There, Leila discovers an ancient settlement of Mountain Jews in the Fire Mountains, where she meets spiritual messengers and finds a ghostly red violin. Filmed amidst the stunning landscapes of […]
Historian and author Giancarlo Casale will be an online talk about Osman Agha of Timişoara, or Osman Ağa of Temeşvar as Turks would say. Hosted by the Anglo-Turkish Society (ATS), Professor Casale puts the spotlight on this fascinating Ottoman military officer from the seventeenth century. In 1688, in the tumultuous aftermath of the failed Ottoman […]
Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Davide Sanclimenti were crowned winners in last night’s Love Island finale, with social media erupting in joy at the news that the show’s most entertaining and deserving couple had won. Over 3.4 million viewers tuned in live to see the outcome of the eighth series of ITV’s hit reality television show – […]
