Most recent articles by Ceyda Nurtsch
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The Kurdish theatre company Teatra SiOut of the cellars and onto the stage
The Kurdish-language theatre scene has been developing in Turkey since the 1990s. One group committed to promoting Kurdish language and art is Teatra Si, a theatre company from Istanbul. Ceyda Nurtsch met with its members in Berlin at the start of their European tour
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Interview with Elif Shafak"There is a lack of democratic culture in Turkey"
The Turkish writer Elif Shafak is one of the country's best-selling authors and one of the best known Turkish writers worldwide. In her books, she intertwines sensitive Turkish issues with cosmopolitan stories and Sufism. In this interview, she talks to Ceyda Nurtsch about how she plays with language, the role of fiction and the democratisation of Turkey
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The Turkish music collective Bandista"Every resistance movement has its own voice"
The music collective Bandista combines ska, dub and ethno sounds with a left-wing political message. With their catchy melodies and rhythms, they have become an essential part of street protests in Turkey. By Ceyda Nurtsch
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Interview with Turkish theologian Ihsan EliacikThe Koran and social justice
Ihsan Eliacik is the first proponent of an "Islamic socialism" in Turkey. In his teachings, he criticises the neo-liberal policies of the AKP and calls for a socialist reading of the Koran. Interview by Ceyda Nurtsch
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"Open Forums" in TurkeyNew Forms of Participation
The Gezi Park protests have led to the emergence of local grassroots committees or "Open Forums" in many Turkish towns and cities. Their goal: To preserve quality of life in residential areas and foster political dialogue and development. A commentary by Ceyda Nurtsch from the "Open Forum" in the Istanbul neighbourhood of Beyoğlu
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Interview with Choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui"I Don't Mix Cultures, I Translate"
In his work, the Belgian-Moroccan choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui combines elements from different cultures, religions and styles. In this interview with Ceyda Nurtsch, he explains how his Moroccan roots influence his perception of aesthetics and speaks about the role of art in the Arab Spring
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Interview with LGBT Rights Activist Arsham Parsi''Rights are never given; we have to fight for them''
Arsham Parsi is an Iranian LGBT human rights activist who lives in exile in Canada. In this interview with Ceyda Nurtsch, he speaks about the situation for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transsexuals (LGBTs) in Iran and his work to support LGBT refugees who flee the country for the West and explains why he is so optimistic about it all
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Interview with the Turkish Writer Mario Levi''Dialogue is the Most Important Thing!''
In this interview with Ceyda Nurtsch, Turkish author and journalist Mario Levi speaks about anti-Semitism in Turkey, writing as an escape and how remembering can become a political act
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The Turkish Publisher Ragıp ZarakoluThe Power of the Word
For almost 40 years now the Turkish publisher, author and human rights activist Ragıp Zarakolu has been a thorn in the side of the Turkish state. He has been jailed several times and there are numerous indictments against him going through the courts. But Zarakolu has never lost his faith in the power of the word. Profile by Ceyda Nurtsch
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Interview with Abdelwahab Meddeb''The Islamists Are Not Ready for a Democratic Culture''
The Tunisian-French author Abdelwahab Meddeb is a critical observer of political developments in Tunisia and Egypt. In this interview with Ceyda Nurtsch, he explains why the Islamists are not creating a liberal culture of discussion and why he is sceptical about the concept of an Islamic democracy
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The Trio OlivinnSchubert's 'Trout' à la Turka
The trio Olivinn blends Turkish folk songs with German art songs and jazz elements, creating a universal music language in which listeners from different backgrounds discover elements that are familiar to them. Ceyda Nurtsch met the group and set out on a musical journey through different cultures and history
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Interview with the Turkish writer Oya Baydar''Turkey is a country of miracles''
The writer and journalist Oya Baydar speaks here to Ceyda Nurtsch about the role of the novel in Turkey in exploring the country's history, and why Turkish intellectuals were more optimistic about the democratisation of their country than they are now