Is Istanbul still Turkey’s most European city? The only city in the world to straddle two continents, sometimes conservative, sometimes ultra-modern, the city of a thousand faces reveals its secrets.
In his 20 years in power, President Erdogan has changed the culture of the country. He is currently financing dozens of historical series which glorify the Ottoman Empire that are a hit on public television. In the country’s cultural capital, bars and nightclubs are gradually being replaced by oriental pastry stores, shopping malls dedicated to Islamic fashions are springing up and provocative artists are closely monitored.
The authorities now want to focus on tourism from the Middle East rather than European visitors. But many people refuse to be silenced. Singer Aisu, who is so provocative she has trouble fi nding radio stations willing to play her songs, now reaches her audience via social networks. Meanwhile satirical cartoonist, Tunay, who has seen his friends imprisoned, continues to depict Erdogan as an old sultan.