Melis Alemdar

'Every time she stands up, she bleeds. She coughs, she bleeds.'

On the anniversary of Rohingyas fleeing Myanmar after many atrocities, Fozia Alvi, a Canada-based doctor, recounts the physical and psychological sufferings she encountered while treating them in Bangladeshi camps.

Cuban heritage runs like DNA in these musicians

Pianist Omar Sosa and violinist and singer Yilian Canizares have gone through similar experiences growing up in Cuba, and they understand what it means to endure all the restrictions and then open up to the world.

Post poll analysis: 'World leaders will want Erdogan by their side'

As President Erdogan was re-elected on Sunday to lead Turkey, we spoke to Ahmet Tarik Celenk, a prominent political analyst, who explained what Erdogan's victory implies in local and geopolitical contexts.

A musical dream comes true in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar

Conductor and kanun player Hakan Gungor brings together musicians from the former Ottoman lands to form an orchestra.

Celebrating 2018 as the Year of Troy

Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism has declared 2018 as the Year of Troy. Located in northwest Anatolia near the Dardanelles, Troy is a site immortalised by the ancient Greek poet Homer in his mythical epics the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey."

Looking for Oum Kulthum: Shirin Neshat brings a legend to the silver screen

Oum Kulthum was a legendary Egyptian singer and the most famous woman in Egypt after Cleopatra. In her film "Looking for Oum Kulthum," Iranian filmmaker Shirin Neshat has brought the diva’s story to the screen, with personal touches.

Should I stay or go? A young Istanbul punk wonders

Mu Tunc’s debut film about a young and disgruntled punk singer was first screened at !f Istanbul Independent Film Festival. We met up with the director to hear more about his influences and future projects.

Ava: a strong-willed teenager defies the rules in Tehran

Sadaf Foroughi’s debut feature depicts the troubles of an Iranian teenager after she makes an innocent bet with her schoolmates.

An almost-famous Turkish electronic music veteran seeks to reconnect

Gokcen Kaynatan’s music is as fresh as it was composed about five decades ago. But can this 78-year-old rock and roller find a niche in the 21st century and connect with a new generation?

Traces of old Levantine cosmopolitanism still exist

World-renowned historian Philip Mansel believes the multiculturalism that existed in much of the Middle East before WWI is now found in places like London, which he says has transformed from a dull English city to a vibrant multi-ethnic stronghold.

Teaching the homeless how to fish – but first, dinner

An Istanbul woman has just opened a restaurant. It caters to paying patrons during the day, and offers free meals to the homeless in the evening. Ayse Tukrukcu says this is just the beginning.

Istanbul Architecture Festival sharpens focus on extraordinary architects

Documentary film and animation makers attended the 11th Istanbul International Architecture and Urban Films Festival, where many architects' works were showcased. TRT World spoke to Mahera Omar from Pakistan and Atom Saskal from Turkey.