Most recent articles by Ceyda Nurtsch
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Flouting freedoms in TurkeySelf-censorship thriving
Turkey welcomes private investment in its arts and culture. But freedom for artists and journalists is largely restricted. The alternative arts scene has slipped into the background. By Ceyda Nurtsch
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The "Anatolian Jazz Orchestra""More feeling than form"
The Anatolian Jazz Orchestra jazzes up the haunting airs of traditional Anatolian folk songs to give them an authentic big band makeover. Ceyda Nurtsch on an unconventional orchestra with its own distinctive fusion sound
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Interview with the Turkish Roma musician ″Balik″ Ayhan Kucukboyaci″We Roma are more than just entertainers″
Ayhan Kucukboyaci, better known as Balik Ayhan (Fish Ayhan), is one of Turkey′s most famous Roma musicians. He also works to preserve the Romani culture. Ceyda Nurtsch talked to him about the demolition of the world′s oldest Roma settlement, Sulukule, and the situation for Roma in Turkey
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Anti-construction protests in Turkey″Reclaim Istanbul!″ – policy vs. architecture
Turkey′s construction industry is booming. As a key pillar of the nation's economy, President Erdogan's ambitious goal is to ensure it catapults Turkey into the world's top ten economies by 2023. But the AKP's ″urban transformation project″ has many downsides. By Ceyda Nurtsch
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"Bukahara"Global buskers
Bukahara are a band living the dream – from street buskers to recording artists. The world music combo has just released their second CD "Strange Delight", which they produced themselves. Ceyda Nurtsch asked the musicians about the secret of their success
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Interview with oboist Demetrios Karamintzas"These children deserve the same opportunities as children anywhere else"
Demetrios Karamintzas studied music at the Julliard School of Music in New York and is a professional oboist. Having worked with Daniel Barenboim's Barenboim-Said Foundation and the Al Kamandjati Music Schools in Palestine, he recently volunteered to teach at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music in Kabul. Ceyda Nurtsch talked to him about teaching music amid poverty and terror attacks
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Exhibition: Political Art and Resistance in TurkeyThe art of remembering
Protest art from Turkey, covering the period from the 1970s to the present day, is currently on show at the Neue Gesellschaft für bildende Kunst or nGbK (New Society for Visual Arts) in Berlin. But this exhibition is a little bit different in that it does not concern itself only with political resistance in Istanbul, but also with social protest in eastern Turkey. Ceyda Nurtsch took a look at the art on display and talked to the artists and the organisers
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The role of the HDP in the Turkish general electionBeacon of hope for women and LGBTs
In the Turkish election campaign, all eyes are on the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). The party's success would fundamentally redraw the nation's political map. Within a short period of time, it has succeeded in gaining favour with an array of disadvantaged social groups. By Ceyda Nurtsch
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The German Empire and the Armenian genocideTurning a blind eye
On 24 April, people all over the world will commemorate the mass killing of Armenians 100 years ago. A memorial service is planned in Germany as well. Many critics contend, however, that the country should take a closer look at the role played by the German Empire, which was an ally of the Ottoman Empire at the time of the massacres. By Ceyda Nurtsch
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Book review: Orhan Pamuk's novel "A Strangeness in my mind"A journey through time to a lost world
Opinion in Turkey is divided over Orhan Pamuk. For some, the Nobel laureate is a shining star among Turkish writers. Others view him as a plagiarist and even denounce him as a traitor. His new novel has once again fanned the flames of the debate concerning the author and his work. Ceyda Nurtsch read the book
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Interview with Martha NussbaumOvercoming narcissistic fears
Martha Nussbaum is one of the best-known American philosophers of our time. Her book: The New Religious Intolerance. Overcoming the Politics of Fear in an Anxious Age was recently published in German. Ceyda Nurtsch spoke to her
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Artists in TurkeyArtists against Erdogan's censorship
Turkey welcomes private investors in the fields of art and culture, but artists feel oppressed by the government. Beyond censorship and commercial speculation, an alternative art scene offers some hope. Ceyda Nurtsch presents them.