19 Mayis 2012, Taksim

Commemoration of Atatürk , National Youth and Sports Day , (Atatürk’ü Anma Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı), 19.Mayis.2012, Taksim-İstanbul, pentax k5, photos by ozgur ozkok

Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth & Sports Day (Atatürk’ü Anma Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı) – National Holiday – The arrival of Atatürk in Samsun in 1919, the beginning of the War of Independence. Dedicated to the youth.

Commemoration of Atatürk , National Youth and Sports Day , (Atatürk’ü Anma Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı), 19.Mayis.2012, Taksim-İstanbul, pentax k10d, photos by ozgur ozkok

The Turkish flag, images of Atatürk and the boat on which he arrived in Samsun, as well as images related to sports are the symbols of the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day in Turkey.

Commemoration of Atatürk , National Youth and Sports Day , (Atatürk’ü Anma Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı), 19.Mayis.2012, Taksim-İstanbul, pentax k10d, photos by ozgur ozkok

Atatürk was born in 1881. But his birth date is not known. In one of his speeches, he declared that he considers his birthday as May 19, in clear reference to the beginning of the national struggle in 1919.

Commemoration of Atatürk , National Youth and Sports Day , (Atatürk’ü Anma Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı), 19.Mayis.2012, Taksim-İstanbul, pentax k5, photos by ozgur ozkok

the journey of fishes

Samatya fish market, Istanbul, pentax k5, ozgur ozkok

Raki and fish is a sacred team for us

istanbul-samatya, ozgur ozkok

Reading about Istanbul “Just for heart and soul…” part-2

Reading about Istanbul, part-2,   Just for heart and soul…

There are some books which have influenced my understanding of life in Turkey, its history and present, customs and spirit.

Usually I don´t buy the books at the airport, because of lack of time and concentration, but Buket Uzuner´s My name is Istanbul was a temptation I couldn´t resist. I think this is one of the most poetic books I´ve ever read. Short stories, glimpses like a kaleidoscope. Istanbul like bits of colorful glass changing patterns. In this book Istanbul, the mighty and mysterious woman, narrates her story looking back through the centuries. Very elegant and vigorous. Not possible to retell, it´s an impression.

Kasımpaşa-İstanbul, photos by Eleka Rugam-Rebane

Some years ago I had read Orhan Pamuk in Estonian. Snow was the name of his book. It was translated into Estonian shortly after Pamuk´s Nobel prize. I really tried to follow the story but at that point of time I was not ready. I believe I couldn´t understand the context, I had never been to Turkey. There were too many missing bits and pieces in this picture. 

Saturday Mothers “protesting against the disappearances”

Saturday mothers, Cumartesi anneleri, Beyoğlu-İstanbul, pentax k5, photos by ozgur ozkok

“Saturday Mothers” protests in Beyoğlu, central Istanbul.

street cafe at Beyoğlu

Beyoğlu-İstanbul, pentax k5, photos by ozgur ozkok

Better Bros Company Band (Ipsos KMG)

Better Bros Company Band , at Garaj Istanbul Beyoğlu, pentax kx, photos by ozgur ozkok

Burak Evren – Vocal
Gülşah Hançer – Vokal
Hakan Ermin – Guitar
Melike Bayraktaroğlu – Vocal
Özer Gündüz – Bas Guitar
Tutku Kutlu – Drums
Utku Doğruak – Guitar

Better Bros Company Band , at Garaj Istanbul Beyoğlu, pentax kx, photos by ozgur ozkok

Look at our streets, look at our lives

Golden Horn , Haliç, Istanbul-Turkey, pentax kx, photos by ozgur ozkok

I can’t compete with city, I am only blogging …

Is eating candy at night bad ?

Beyoglu-Istanbul, pentax kx, photos by ozgur ozkok

a candy/delight store at Beyoglu is serving for night’s walkers

we love kokorec :)

Kokorec shop, Beyoglu-Istanbul, pentax kx, photos by ozgur ozkok

kokorec is the small and large intestines of lamb, layered on a spit and slowly roasted. Kokorec is pulled off the spit, chopped and grilled with tomatoes and red peppers, and dusted liberally with dried oregano.

winds of latin

Beyoglu-Istanbul, pentax kx, photos by ozgur ozkok

two singer at Beyoglu’s night