Category: People

Columnists
Really sorry Aylan Kurdi

I sincerely apologise Aylan, but we shall forget you too. You, your brother Ghaleb, your mum. We shall forget you all. We human beings are like that. We forget all too easily. We have forgotten many children before you.   Do you remember those poor people who met a horrible death in an airless truck […]

Entrepreneurs
Nevzat Aydın: ‘the best boss in the world’

A Turkish entrepreneur whose online business was recently sold in a multi-million pound deal has hit the headlines following his decision to share his newly-made fortune with his staff. Nevzat Aydın (pictured above) is the co-founder and CEO of Yemeksepeti, a food delivery company in Turkey that he started with three others 15 years ago. […]

Yonca Abla
Ask Yonca abla: Is she too young to holiday alone?

Dear Yonca abla,  I’ve been having furious arguments with my youngest. She is 18-years-old and if she passes her exams, could be starting life at university in September. I thought I was being progressive letting her go away from home to study, but now, as if that wasn’t enough, she wants to go on holiday […]

Propa Turkish
#HellimProblems

There’s nothing worse than when you are flying back from the motherland and a distant cousin or auntie turns up the morning you are leaving and hands you 10 packs of hellim. They know the laws against bringing cheese back, as well as the weight restrictions, but they still make you feel bad if you […]

Features
Levent Büyükuğur on Frescobaldi and his never-ending Italian love affair

Since forming Istanbul Doors in 1993, Levent Büyükuğur has quietly revolutionised Istanbul’s nightlife and restaurant scene. His diners and clubs, Changa, Lucca, Kitchenette and Angelique among them, are bywords for sophisticated quality, while his compatriots have also been treated to new culinary delights through his introduction of international chains such as Zuma to Turkey. In […]

My World
My World: Canan Sağar

Her debut release ‘13’ is an assured, yet intense album, dealing with assorted issues, from child abuse to loneliness. Tight Turkish Folk-Rock arrangements tread familiar ground. What carries the album are Canan’s poignant, self-penned lyrics and powerful vocals, moving effortlessly from tender ballads to fiery missives, making each of her 13 tracks compelling listening.  Where […]

Entrepreneurs
Turkish brands meet UK counterparts at ‘quality in business’ conference in London

Owners of small and medium-sized businesses from diverse industry sectors in Turkey were in the capital on Thursday to explore business opportunities as part of a unique networking event organised by Leaders of Branding Intelligence (LOB’IN) and the European Turkish Association (ETA). Titled 8thInternational European Quality Conference, the business summit took place at the London South Bank University […]

Entrepreneurs
How Ted & Mus conquered Turkish barbering
 

We may be living through the austerity years, but one sector that is booming is men’s grooming. Men’s desire to splash the cash to look good has propelled the sector to be worth some £1 bn. It’s not just about buying moisturiser and bronzers. Guys are also bypassing the cheap and cheerful barbers’ shop where […]

Columnists
Marching against racism

A bitterly cold March day. Only yesterday [Friday 20th], on a warm, sunny day I sat on a park bench at Ally Pally and watched little children feed the ducks. This is England. It is possible to witness a few seasons in a few day. I leave home, my wife’s warnings to be careful ringing […]

Entrepreneurs
Turkish Cypriot entrepreneur Touker Suleyman joins BBC TV show Dragons’ Den

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 […]