Squares: Where the City Becomes Public
In a city like Istanbul, where squares are few and often controlled, to gather is to claim space, to appear is to insist on recognition. The act of standing in a square transforms private individuals into a public — making them visible, political, and impossible to ignore. In this way, the square embodies the tension between control and freedom, absence and visibility.
A City That Fed Itself - Istanbul’s Bostans
Istanbul once fed itself—through truck gardens woven into the very fabric of the city. From Yedikule to Kuzguncuk, these plots are more than fields: they are neighbourhood commons, seasonal rhythms, and living archives of multicultural labour.
Istanbul’s Arcades: Spaces of Throwntogetherness*
The arcades of Istanbul are more than historic architecture—they are ledgers of a plural city. Most were built by Greek, Armenian, and Jewish communities who once shaped the everyday life of Beyoğlu. These corridors once linked not only shops, but languages, beliefs, and generations.
A Queer Memory of Istanbul
To be seen is to resist. To gather is to remember. Being queer in Istanbul is a form of urban authorship.
Ferries - Slice of Predictability in a City of Surprises
In a city that rushes, Istanbul ferries invite us to slow down — to share stories, memories, and a sense of belonging across Istanbul’s waters. We must reclaim our right to experience the city at our own pace — to embrace the shores as places where the sea meets us all equally.
Online Meyhane turns 5!
As we mark five years of this living, breathing, digital table, one thing remains clear: You can take the meyhane out of the city, but you can’t take the spirit of the city out of the meyhane.
Hıdırellez: The Seeds We Plant!
We are rebuilding from scratch, even when we’re too tired to begin — because we believe spring will come, no matter how long the winter lasts.
80+ cities Around the World has been Protesting since the March 23rd!
This isn’t just about a mayor — it’s about the people standing up for their rights, for democracy, and for justice for all!
Portugal’s Tasca Culture by Defne Kayacık
It’s no surprise, then, to find Portugal’s tasca culture mirroring the spirit of the meyhane. Great tasca tips from our Lisbon barba, Defne!
The Hunt for Beyaz Cheese in the UK
Discover white cheese brands in the UK that (almost) get it right