Melis Alemdar

Cinili Hamam, a Mimar Sinan marvel, revived in time for Istanbul biennial

One of the fine works of renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan has been restored to its former glory, and is hosting two sound installations of the 17th Istanbul Biennial to welcome guests prior to its official opening as a bathhouse in 2023.

Ambitious exhibition explores “Life, Death, Love and Justice” in Istanbul

A new exhibition in Türkiye’s cultural capital Istanbul offers creative takes on philosophical themes that have troubled humanity throughout the ages, through the prism of art.

A short film from Türkiye makes it to Venice Film Festival after decades

“Rutubet (Moisture), running at a well-paced 20 minutes, takes place in a remote village in which we witness the disappearance of a young girl through the eyes of an elementary school teacher.

‘Tracing Sagalassos’: an exhibition to benefit an ancient town in Anatolia

Equipped with an architectural background, Murat Germen captures the details that make the ancient city of Sagalassos, in Türkiye’s Burdur province, in an exhibition featuring photos whose sales will fund archaeological excavations at the site.

‘World’s richest Islamic arts collection’ a sight not to be missed

The Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts in Istanbul offers visitors a chance to lose themselves in the details of hand-lettered and illustrated copies of the Quran, handwoven carpets, and many other exquisite artefacts from Islamic civilisations.

Plant hospital in Istanbul: When a plant needs some tender loving care

A plant hospital in Istanbul’s Fatih Municipality revives overwatered or dried out plants, cures them of diseases, and teaches you how to better care for them, all for free.

Life with Ponchik, the diabetic cat

He was named after a sugary pastry filled with apple jam. So is it any wonder he developed diabetes?

Immortal Faces: from coins to sculptures of antiquity, a feast in Istanbul

A new exhibition combines a collection of coins, from Lykians, the first minters of coins, to the Ottoman era and the Turkish Republic era, with Greek and Roman busts borrowed from Istanbul Archaeological Museums and the Sadberk Hanim Museum.

A painter for adults and children, Can Goknil has been at it for decades

Can Goknil, a prolific Turkish painter who lives and works in Istanbul, has a new exhibition at Bozlu Art Project in Sisli, Istanbul, on view until June 25, 2022.

Famed painter Hockney’s The Arrival of Spring, Normandy, 2020 in Istanbul

Legendary English painter David Hockney’s latest paintings created during the pandemic have arrived at Istanbul’s Sakip Sabanci Museum, bringing along the fresh air of spring.

A hobby, a vocation, a meditative sport: fishing in Istanbul

Fishermen — and they are mostly men — can be spotted across Istanbul’s fishing spots. While they spend quality time outdoors, they fish casually and make friends. Some even make money.

A delicious Turkish tradition for Ramadan and beyond: pide

While a special Turkish flatbread prepared with wheat flour and yeast, pide, can be found year round at some bakeries, experts point out that Ramadan pide is made with a superior quality flour and that’s what makes it special.