Ohh my god , it’s not only 10:00 am in the morning, but also the internal meeting started (the lucky person among us who managed to steal 5 hours last night to sleep). The Project Framework became clear more and more each day…… the objective of our project, vision, data collection, formulating proposals, and ours final product : the future image of Sulukule. Ohh we still have to fill these nice notions. It seems that the agenda had more than that ….. Our activities for the next week, the most exiting one that has been discussed was the idea of participatory workshops with local community about their needs and aspirations for the area where they have lived for centuries. Moreover some technicality had to be discussed : meetings…. Presentations… logistics. Oh god its endless cycle of work where each activity could lead to new project . I thought after 4-hour meeting and formulating ideas, concepts and preparation … that we will not have energy to do anything else.Yes, its there in the fourth, fifth whatever floor (what I can remember that we climbed endless staircase). Just 20 meters up the hill from our hotel, one of the most amazing panoramic views (on the roof of one of the splendid old buildings of Istanbul) over the Bosphorus & Golden horn….The whole history of Istanbul was floating and was reflected over the Bosphorus: Sultan Ahmet Area with Its Monuments: Topkapi , Heja Sophia, blue mosque….. the Asian side of Istanbul with its hill melting gradually in the water of phosphor , sneaking underneath the water of Bosphorus then again exit the water to articulate the European side (and vise versa). It seems that nature find its way to communicate before humans invented their own “bridges”. I can’t say more than , each time you visit Istanbul you will find million of possibilities to see Istanbul from new perspective.
Time to go Sulukule, to participate in the activity day ( we were invited to attend one of the activity of 40 days/ 40 nights). a lot of music, children, Romani performing to celebrate their heritage and culture with Istanbul …..no actually with the whole world. In a convoy of four taxies we traveled from the hotel to Sulukule, you can consider your self lucky if you had the opportunity to see Istanbul from two different perspectives, but I think we got three at the same day. It is Sunday , the Galata bridge is full of People whose fancy fishing , but what was more interesting to see is the parks along side the water full of peoples apparently they came from all over Istanbul to enjoy the nice weather, sun , water and for sure don’t miss the barbeque . Children playing, chasing each others or helping their mom to prepare the food. amazing how people give meaning to the spaces. The smell of the barbeque was nice …. Ah I miss spring Picnics ,,, I miss you Palestine.
Sulukule, Sulukule : was their everywhere : on drawings , shirts , and each corner of the place . you can see the success of the activity in the face of the children , women and men. What amazed me wasn’t the activity that took place, but the changing of space’s meaning. I remember seeing this empty plot of land from London, Amaizing how technology can help you in discovering the world!!! But this time the open space become place where Byram , Omar , Rajab , Amro , Ali …… Zeinab playing and exploring the world , asking ( in English) us about our name , nationality , religion ……. Oh good the world seemed wide and very diverse for them and us at this moment ( but the best part for them is still Nigeria). The space turn to be theatre in one hour, you need small tour to starting from the main street penetrating children’s minds and aspirations that have been hanged in the walls. Heading the café you have to listen to 10 stories and smiling to 50 others. Grapping a cup of Chai , suddenly you will find yourself in the middle of wedding , the drum player, dancers, violin player…. every body was celebrating, but where is the bride and the groom?
Behind small metal door in a brick wall near the café, Same wedding continued and took place. Preparation for the musical night: installing the wooden stage, electricity cables everywhere and speakers … etc. But deep look to the surrounding you can see the whole community is their, children of coarse everywhere. Men are forming their own groups in strategic location and engaging occasionally to talk to the visitors. A Women sitting on balcony, other women looking , watching and chatting. handsome young men and beautiful young women here and their engaging with others by short talks , responds or even by 
fast noisy cars ride .After long preparation the music started to play , the lyrics were in language that we couldn’t understand but the music language was universal and clear full of love, happiness and hope.
The main actors were the bride and the groom :
the children. Byram war trying to use his basic knowledge to communicate with us, but suddenly he became official translator ( Senin adimiz ne?). More and more he become commentator and talking about political issues like Iraq and 
Palestine and South Africa. Ali was talking about things I don’t know but he mention Shish Kebab, oh thank you for the ice cream that u gave me it was enough . and the A’shora with cinnamon is perfect as well.
Iyad Issa 
1 comment:
Seems very lively and touching!
Bring back nice memories, ok?
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