By Leonie Kupferschmidt The civil war in Syria plunged the country into suffering and misery in 2011 and triggered a large movement of refugees. Initially known as a welcoming and solidary society, the tone towards refugees in Türkiye has become very heated in past years – but especially during the recent election: strange stares, verbal harassment, violence and even unjustified arrests – these are things … Continue reading A life in constant fear
Syrian Refugees in Istanbul By Leonie Kupferschmidt The civil war in Syria plunged the country into suffering and misery in 2011 and triggered a large movement of refugees. It may not be immediately obvious to the Western eye, but officially more than half a million Syrians live in the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul alongside the locals. Initially known as a welcoming and solidary society, the … Continue reading A glimpse of hope
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, many Russians have escaped their country to one of the last places they can travel too visa free: Turkey. Istanbul has an estimated 30.000 new Russian residents since the start of the war. What are the their reasons to move? How do they like their new city? And will they ever go back? Continue reading Istanbul’s Russian influx
by Camille Gardeur This Saturday, June 10, 2023, Istanbul is preparing to host the UEFA Champions League final between Manchester City and Inter Milan. This highly anticipated event is generating great excitement among the city’s residents, as well as local businesses, hoteliers, and various travel agencies. Beyond the sporting aspect, the final offers significant tourism and economic advantages to the city of Istanbul, which has … Continue reading A Gateway to Tourism and Economic Success
By Isola Ansideï Istanbul, a city with more than 15 millions of inhabitants, a city that hides treasures, but also the capital of a country known to be the second largest producer of counterfeits after China. In the heart of the Grand Bazaar, one of the largest covered markets in the world, illegal copies of the biggest luxury brands circulate every day. Smiles, laughter, children … Continue reading The Grand Bazaar: Nightmare for Luxury Brands or Free Advertising?
“Violence against women is forbidden,” is what Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in his victory speech after last month’s elections. According to him, family is sacred; and therefore, rules to protect women are unnecessary. In Turkey in 2022, 392 women fell victim to this phenomenon called femicide. According to Oxford Languages, the meaning of femicide is the killing of a woman or a girl, in particular … Continue reading The state has left the Istanbul convention, but the community hasn’t
By Lauren McKay Turkish citizens are battling record high rent prices in the midst of a housing crisis spurred on by nationwide hyperinflation. As a result, the country is facing ‘brain drain’. Cansu Koc (27) is one of these educated, soon-to-be expats. Koc has had to battle with her landlord to keep a roof over her head for the past five years. When her husband … Continue reading Exploding housing costs chase away Turkish talent
By Eamon O’Callaghan More and more of Turkey’s youth are finding themselves battling to maintain their mental health, with prices in the troubled country soaring while the lira continues to drop in value. Turkey’s economic crisis is one which has plagued it for years. Over the last 12 months alone, the country has averaged a staggering inflation rate of 63.72%, consistently driving up the cost … Continue reading Turkish Inflation and the Mental Health Crisis
By Albane Rousseau In the bustling city of Istanbul, a daring project is underway. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the driving force behind what he calls his “Crazy Canal Project”, a grandiose undertaking designed to relieve traffic on the Bosporus. Nevertheless, for Cemal Saydam, a retired oceanographer, “the proposed channel will not only affect Turkey but will cause an international environmental disaster that will affect … Continue reading The Istanbul Canal: a major environmental challenge
By Josie Makkink In Istanbul, the strained relationship between Syrian refugees and Turkish nationals has escalated significantly due to the city’s economic collapse and social turmoil. The tension between Syrian refugees and Turkish nationals became extremely politized during the second round of the elections in Istanbul. An economic meltdown, overpopulation, and hostile living conditions are consuming the city. Political parties are using the refugees residing … Continue reading Refugee crisis reaches boiling point
