The real story of Rumi and Sufism in modern Istanbul
It may be a surprise that Jalal ad-Din Rumi—the thirteenth century mystic known as Mevlana in Turkey, the Middle East, and Central Asia—is the best-selling poet in the United States.…
Why so dramatic? Turkish TV series from the past to present
Dramatic television series have enthralled Turkish audiences over the past few decades; immortalizing old Istanbul neighborhoods and paving the way for the many Turkish shows which are now international hits.…
Nocturnal Symposium: in search of balance with Mesut Arslan
Premiering during the Istanbul Theater Festival, the surprising, incisive, and at times disturbing, play Nocturnal Symposium—written by Eric De Volder, directed and adapted by Mesut Arslan—will be running at Zorlu…
Unfolding the city: Lale Apa and her Istanbul
Since The Guide Istanbul was first published in 1991, the city has no more secrets, says Lale Apa, the magazine’s founder. Having guided others through Istanbul’s narrow streets and picturesque…
Second life for things: a guide to antique shopping in Istanbul
Touring around Istanbul’s many antique markets to convene with the memories of bygone eras and fall happily into the knowledge-depths of the owners who collect them, is a one-of-a-kind experience.…
Cinematic Beauty: David Drebin in Istanbul
Epic, dreamlike, sexy: these are some of the words that come to mind when looking at the work of David Drebin, a New York based, world-renowned photographer and multidisciplinary artist.…
A Turkish gothic tour: Istanbul’s most haunted mansions
In Istanbul, fragments of history are revealed by the slightest scratch of the earth. Having grown from a Greek fishing village to a global metropolis over the course of 2,600…
Jog through the city: top 7 running routes in Istanbul
As milder weather arrives in Istanbul, running becomes a great way to both exercise and take in the sights of the city. Istanbul’s many parks, neighborhoods, and paths make it…
