Calligraphy is the beautiful art of writing. This decorative art form combines visual aesthetics with the precision and functionality of hand-drawn letters created using pens or brushes. One of the most renowned forms is Islamic or hat (an Arabic word that means line) calligraphy, an artistic practice that is derived from the Arabic alphabet and […]
Since May of this year, Cyprus’ two leaders – Mustafa Akıncı and Nicos Anastasiades – have been working hard on the elusive elements that will pave the way to a peace deal, which could unite the island fifty two years after its division. While the positive atmosphere of the latest round of talks […]
A song by Turkey’s Selda Bağcan features on Compton – the new chart-topping Hip Hop album by Dr Dre that was released worldwide earlier this month. The superstar producer samples the psychedelic guitar riffs from Bağcan’s 1976 classic İnce İnce for Issues, which features Ice Cube, Dem Jointz and Anderson Paak. It’s the eighth of […]
Singer Dila Varder is on a mission to get more Britons ‘dancing uncontrollably’ to her unique blend of Turkish Folk music. Having been booked to perform at the UK’s biggest festivals this summer, including Glastonbury, Bestival and Wilderness, she clearly knows what makes audiences tick. T-VINE caught up with the innovative performer in between gigs […]
Saban’s Turkish Cypriot dad still doesn’t know he does stand-up. Sarah’s Czech grandmother knows she does it, but doesn’t know what it is. Next weekend this newly paired comedy duo will perform the world premiere of their show at the Camden Fringe Festival. During their hour-long comedy narrative, Comedy Store King Gong December 2014 winner […]
Londoners have just two weeks to see a unique exhibition about life on the front line, as told by prisoners of war (PoW) from both sides that were captured during the Dardanelles campaign a century ago. Part of the Yunus Emre Institute’s 100 Years of Peace theme, it features correspondence from soldiers which had been approved […]
Today marks the end of the annual 30-day fast, which is celebrated with a 3-day public holiday in Turkey, North Cyprus and across the rest of the Muslim world. Those here in London can join in the festivities too. Traditionally known as Şeker Bayramı (Sweet Eid), the festival is a time to thank God for […]
Perceptions about Islam, the gentrification of inner London, and ‘how do you tell your gangster family that you’ve converted to Islam’ were among the questions put to film director Andrew Hulme and actor Martin Askew at a special screening of Snow in Paradise, a film which they wrote together. Inspired by Martin’s life and shot […]
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 […]
After twenty five years of broadcasting on the Medium Wave, British Turks lost their sole official voice on the airways following OFCOM’s decision to re-allocate their 1584 AM frequency to Panjab Radio – a station serving British Asians. The switch took place last Friday. London Turkish Radio first went on air in 1990 London […]
