Istanbul

The Turkish Parliament approved Sept. 9 a new legal arrangement redrawing the boundaries of two Asian-side districts as part of a new omnibus bill.

The Chamber of Architects and the Chamber of Urban Planners have reacted negatively to plans that would lead to Istanbul’s iconic Taksim Square being decorated with ponds, small groups of trees and benches, according to a fresh project approved by the local preservation board.

The 21st Beijing International Book Fair opened today at an event attended by Turkish Culture and Tourism Deputy Minister Abdurrahman Arıcı. Turkey is the guest of honor this year at the fair. Arıcı said Turkey will be represented in three different pavilions, covering an area of 932 square meters.

Two ancient tomb covers, which were found during the rehabilitation of an underpass in Istanbul’s historical peninsula, have been delivered to Istanbul Archaeology Museum, but only after being damaged in the construction work.

Animal rights activists demonstrated over the weekend against the use of coach horses on Istanbul’s Princes' Islands, launching a campaign to raise awareness about deaths of the horses and their poor conditions.

The Ankara-based Middle East Technical University (ODTÜ) topped the list of the most entrepreneurial and innovative universities, as was also the case last year.

For its 10th anniversary, Istanbul Modern last week opened a new exhibition titled “Plurivocality: Visual Arts and Music in Turkey,” which explores the many bonds between visual and auditory arts in Turkey.

In the Sea of Marmara lies the Island of Marmara, unfettered and nearly forgotten, it remains an authentic safe haven away from tourists, touristic things; yet full of a tourist’s dreams When you ask people about the islands in Turkey, they generally come up with just two or three islands: Bozcaada, Gökçeada and the Prince’s Islands.

The 21st Istanbul Jazz Festival kicks off tomorrow. The event hosts the premiere of Turkish composer, author and musician Zülfü Livaneli’s new piece composed for the poems of Mevlana Celaleddin-i Rumi Organized by the Istanbul Foundation for Arts and Culture (İKSV), the 21st Istanbul Jazz Festival begins tomorrow.

A recent attack against a church in Istanbul has raised the fears of the Christian community in Turkey, a leading member of the country’s Syriac community said in a statement on June 27.