Culture

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Review: Manifest turn up the energy on infectious debut album Manifestival

Turkish girl group Manifest arrived with considerable hype in 2025, but their debut album Manifestival demonstrates there is plenty of substance behind the slick choreography, colourful visuals and carefully crafted pop image.Running to just 26 minutes across 11 tracks, Manifestival is a compact, su...

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Author Elif Shafak wins prestigious European cultural heritage award

Acclaimed British Turkish novelist Elif Shafak has been named the winner of the 2026 Helena Vaz da Silva European Award for Raising Public Awareness on Cultural Heritage, recognising her contribution to celebrating Europe’s cultural heritage through literature and storytelling.The annual award, esta...

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Displaced documentary draws full house for special London screening and Q&A

More than 100 people gathered in central London for a special screening of DISPLACED: A Turkish Cypriot Story, followed by a Q&A with the documentary’s creators.The event, held at the Soho Hotel on Friday, 18 September, came just over a month after the testimony-led film was released and attract...

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One of Türkiye’s finest voices, Birsen Tezer, to bring her spellbinding sound to London in November

There are some singers whose fame never quite seems to match their talent. Birsen Tezer is arguably one of them.Possessing one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Turkish music, the singer, songwriter and musician has quietly built an intensely loyal following through a relatively small b...

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Renowned Turkish pianist Gülsin Onay brings all-Chopin recital to London

One of Türkiye’s most distinguished classical musicians, Gülsin Onay, will return to the London stage this autumn for a special recital devoted entirely to the music of Frédéric Chopin.The internationally acclaimed pianist will perform at Kings Place in King’s Cross on Saturday, 31 October, as part...

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Mehmet Erdem brings his distinctive sound to London’s Underworld this October

Turkish singer-songwriter Mehmet Erdem is heading to London this autumn for an intimate headline concert at The Underworld in Camden.Known for his unmistakably deep, slightly husky vocals and his ability to move effortlessly between Turkish pop, Anatolian folk and acoustic rock, Erdem will take to t...

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Mert Alas puts his visual stamp on Miley’s provocative new ‘Bass Persuades’ video

Turkish fashion photographer and creative director Mert Alas has teamed up with global pop star Miley Cyrus for one of the most talked-about music videos of the moment, directing the dark and provocative visuals for her new single “Bass Persuades”.Released on 3 September, the video has made an immed...

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Mustafa Seven brings the people and streets of Istanbul to London with photography exhibition NASİP

The chance encounters, fleeting expressions and everyday dramas of Istanbul are set to take centre stage in London this month when acclaimed Turkish street photographer Mustafa Seven opens his latest exhibition, NASİP.Running from 12 to 26 September 2026 at Versus Arts Gallery in Lower Clapton, East...

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Serkan Nihat’s award-winning migration drama Exodus to screen in Enfield with director Q&A

British Turkish Cypriot filmmaker Serkan Nihat’s award-winning debut feature Exodus is returning to the big screen in North London next month, with a special screening at the Dugdale Arts Centre in Enfield on Thursday, 1 October.Presented by Talkies Community Cinema, the screening will also give aud...

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UK cinemas slash ticket prices to £4 for National Cinema Weekend, 5th to 6th September

Film fans across the UK can enjoy a trip to the movies for just £4 this weekend, as National Cinema Day returns for 2026 with an expanded two-day format.Renamed National Cinema Weekend, the promotion runs on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 September, with more than 530 cinemas across the UK already confirme...

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