Culture

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Author to share secrets of Turkic legend Dede Korkut and his links across Europe and Asia at UK book launch

Is Dede Korkut a historical figure or a fictional character? What is his significance to Türkiye? And how is this legendary sage, poet and musician of Turkic folklore connected to Saint George, England’s patron saint, and Saint Gregory the Illuminator, the patron saint and founder of the Armenian Ap...

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London premiere for Isy Ismail’s award-winning Irish comedy film The Spin

If you’re looking for a life-affirming comedy bromance, look no further than The Spin. Starring Tara Lynne O’Neill (Derry Girls), Brenock O’Connor (Game of Thrones, Alex Rider) and Owen Colgan (Hardy Bucks), this charming Irish movie centres around a pair of hapless heroes from Omagh, who embark on...

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Special Buffer Zone screening for Cyprus documentary ‘The Divided Island’

Cypriots will have the chance to watch award-winning documentary The Divided Island about the Cyprus Conflict at a special screening in the capital Nicosia later this month. The event is being held at the Home for Co-operation, in Cyprus’ Buffer Zone, on Saturday, 20 September, and will include...

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Review: The Divided Island – “the most balanced film on Cyprus that I have ever seen”

I recently watched new documentary The Divided Island. In fact, I saw it twice in one month. The highly acclaimed film has attracted a lot of interest from diverse media, including The Guardian, The Morning Star, and even The Church Times. Why has this film generated so much interest? One...

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Metin Murat’s gripping new novel ‘Meeting Sister’ set for global release

Acclaimed British Turkish Cypriot author Metin Murat’s highly anticipated second book, Meeting Sister, is released worldwide on Thursday, June 26, by Işık Kitabevi. This thrilling sequel to Metin’s debut book, The Crescent Moon Fox, brings the story into the new millennium as the adult children...

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Bulent Ozdemir-Larusso’s Brawler to screen at the Fighting Spirit Film Festival in Hackney

A short film by a Turkish Cypriot filmmaker has been selected for this year’s Fighting Spirit Film Festival (FSFF) Short Films competition that is being screened at Hackney Picturehouse. Bulent Ozdemir-Larusso’s Brawler, which will make its world premiere at the FSFF on Saturday, 7 September, is up...

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Chart-topping Turkish rapper Motive live at London’s Village Underground in September

Rapper Motive’s latest album Romantik was the most listened to album in Turkiye in 2023, topping the Spotify charts for weeks, as well as winning heaps more accolades. His concerts were among the most talked about events of last year.This innovative artist is now set to showcase his talents in Londo...

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Actor Tamer Hassan to show off his culinary skills in Celebrity MasterChef 2024

Celebrity MasterChef is back on iPlayer and BBC One with a dazzling line-up of stars from the worlds of screen and stage, sport and arts. Among the 20 celebs hoping to impress the judges with their culinary skills is actor and all round good geezer Tamer Hassan.The boy from New Cross, who started li...

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A special night with Kurdish singer Mem Ararat – live at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane

Mem Ararat is a voice that resonates deeply with Kurdish people the world over. Since his acclaimed debut album Quling Ewr û Baran (Crane, Cloud, and Rain) a decade ago, the singer from Mardin, southeast Turkiye, has captivated the hearts and souls of local and international audiences with his...

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Popstar Can Bonomo to bring his blend of “Istanbul music” to Islington Assembly Hall

Can Bonomo describes himself as “musician, poet, dad” in that order on his website. Add to that his work as songwriter, broadcaster, actor and illustrator, and you get a better sense of his incredible creative talents.The alt-pop singer says his wide-ranging cultural influences include writers Nazım...

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