Holland Festival

Yesterday, May 29, the yearly Holland festival started. Music, dance, movies, etc. Until June the 12th. Here is the program.

Representative of humanity

This symbolizes my way of thinking, and see proof in daily life. Taken from wikipedia. See the link below.

Christ vs. Lucifer and Ahriman

Lucifer and his counterpart Ahriman figure in anthroposophy as two polar, generally evil influences on world and human evolution. Steiner described both positive and negative aspects of both figures, however: Lucifer as the light spirit that "plays on human pride and offers the delusion of divinity", but also motivates creativity and spirituality; Ahriman as the dark spirit that tempts human beings to "deny [their] link with divinity and to live entirely on the material plane", but also stimulates intellectuality and technology. Both figures "exert a negative and evil effect on humanity because man allows their influence to be misplaced and one-sided," yet their influences are necessary for human freedom to unfold.[2][5]
According to anthroposophy, each human being has the task to find a balance between these opposing influences; each person is helped in this task through the mediating being of the Representative of Humanity, also known as the Christ being, a spiritual entity which stands between and harmonizes the two extremes.[5]

For the full article, click here.

Boxing with the politicians

Reuters put this picture on the wire. Saw this one in the British, French, Italian, German and Dutch newspapers already. The Dutch newspaper allows their readers to comment interactively on their news. Saw some hilarious reactions. One was very funny: A guy asks for the patent to make a show about it (Boxing with the Politicians) for van der Ende (Dutch TV maker responsible for Big Brother, Who Wants to be a Millionaire etc.)
Some suggest even to import this 'style' of debating in the EU, which is too dull for many...
Personally I think this is not good for Turkish fragile image, although I saw these kind of scenes in Italy and Spain as well...

Disturbing

Most of the time I don't read Ali Kulebi, a director of some kind of pre-cold war institute in Ankara, his 'opinion', or let me say: his column.

This time, because of the tendentious heading, Unbearable arrogance of the EU, I did read his article. Besides the many falsifications and lies, it's the same old nationalist rhetoric.

Also, he forgets to mention that Turkey is a member of the NATO, which as a organization have it golden rules, And without the NATO, it would be a very poor equipped army (I don't think that the modern way of thinking of the Turkish Army fits Mr. Ali, but I am pretty sure, that they like to shop around in imperialistic USA and the EU, rather than in Iran).

Here are some 'rectifications':
- Turkey is not banging on the door of the EU for 45 year. Seriously since 1987, thanks to Ozal. That you have to obey the rules of a club you want to be member of, doesn't seem to bother, in his mind.
-The EU is not interfering, only telling what are the rules to become a member. Simple.
-The EU didn't remove Haider (Austria) from office, only bilateral talks were suspended.
-The three candidates were not following the party line of which they want to represent. Another one is now undersecretary of Justice...Is it possible Mr. Ali that a Dutch born became member of the Turkish government?
-Turkey is the fifth largest market of the EU. Right, and the EU is Turkey's largest business partner. But Europeans are still seen as traitors.
-The Turkish language is not outlawed in the EU. In countries with a huge Turkish population all the government documents are available in Turkish, on national, regional and even local level. And official interpreters are everywhere. But Turkish is not an official language in the EU as English is not in Turkey.
-Turkish business people can freely travel on a one year visa when they plan to do serious business, and not opening a CD shop in Rotterdam. And I have experience in this for 15 years.

All the Turkish business people I have helped in Europe, didn't face one problem with obtaining a visa.

If we take all this together and see what foreigners are facing in Turkey, especially in business, then there rests me one thing to say to Mr. Ali: you are a disturbing hypocrite.

The last days of Constantinople

Been besieged many times, the last assault on the Byzantine capital - the last capital of the once mighty Roman Empire - Constantinople, in the last week of May 1453, was successful. Read here the story.

Al Jazeera

Discovered a few weeks ago, that if you subscribe to the services of Digiturk, you also can watch Al Jazeera. Next to CNN world, BBC world, Euronews, and many other channels.
Must be said, that I had some kind of prejudice against this Qatar based news channel. But it's an added value channel. Broadcast in English, mainly by British presentators. It's just the 'other side of the news'. But don't like their Slogan: we Set the News Agenda.

Totally numb

Was sick last week. A big flu, and since my immune system doesn't work well, took some time to recover.
In the meanwhile, didn't feel well at the same time. Mentally. So my doctor told me to take some anti-depressive. Which I never used even once in my life, since vit B (especially the vit B 6 and vit B 12) are more than helpful when you feel depressive. Anyway, in a weak moment, I told him, 'give me some'. Also since I sleep badly.
So I got my anti-depressive tablets, and after using it for 2 days, I feel completely numb.
Doctors in the Netherlands always warned me that Turkish doctors are subscribing medicines as cookies by the tea.
A good and smart diagnose would be more appreciated in the future. But that is sometimes impossible in Turkey.

Poem Four - The Girl with a Lily Neck

The Girl with Lily Neck
(Zambak Boyunlu Kız)

öpüştü, sesti, dudaktı,
zambak boyunlu kızın
ayasındaki sözdü: tutulunca
aşk, üflediğinde kadın

dildi, yanaktı, boyun.
suya gitti kadın
sesine zambağın

yoldu, anneydi, baba
gözdü, göze kaçan toz
servi boylu şiirlerden
çekilip seçilen pozdu
yanaklarda emilen tuz

bir dik bir açılı
gölgeydi kuma çakılı
aşağı giden su, yukarı ateş
göktü yüzü, sarıydı kız

biri çok, biri kısa andı
sevişmekti, sevilmekti,
sevmek: sonrası dalgalı

denizdi, derindi, dere.

Nurduran Duman

Telephone costs

When you travel often to EU countries, the roaming costs are incredibly high.
Finally the EU parliament took action today and requires that telephone operators, carriers etc., have to reduce the costs up to 75%.
All within the EU block of 27 countries.
One of our clients Amatus, already watched this issue and is offering a special product for their clients.
Turkcell was not happy with this idea.
The law is there to protect customers for unfair prices. In Turkey you pay still too much for regular and land line calls. International costs are decreased but still not in line with the EU. It's in the best of the Turkish businesses and the general public that they further privatize the telecoms sector and allow carriers for cheaper deals. There is still not such as an Ombudsman in Turkey, protecting Turkish consumers.

Rome anno 100 BC, and Iraq/SE Turkey 2007 AC

This is one of the more than 100 stories in the last month of how young children are killed, stoned to death, hanged, etc. by the guardians of their religion and/or culture. And still, we are waiting for answers from their so called 'imams' or sheiks.
Pictures are shocking, but this is Daily Life in Northern Iraq and SE Turkey.

Click here for the story. Elif Safak wrote about it as well. But all the political parties in Turkey put their heads in sand as usual.

Miami living

Started this blog exactly 2 years after I moved from Miami to Istanbul. A big move! Loved the city of Miami for living and the healthy fresh air. Although I have some height fear, lived in this building on the 19th floor for 2 years with a spectacular view over the ocean.


Yes, and this was the swimming pool on the 5th floor. Just above the parking spots. On the other side there was a tennis court. Used the swimming pool daily. Only in the summer it was far too hot!


And what about the gym. Used it exactly one time in 2 years. Never used the indoor squash area either.

I made, in fact, hundreds of photos while living in Miami. Especially during road trips to Texas, Louisiana, Arizona, New York, Kansas and all in between since we traveled by car.

The old secular middle class

I found the following article in the most prestigious Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad. Unfortunately, it's in Dutch.
In this article several people are interviewed. The interesting thing is that most of them have said that 'corruption' and 'unemployment' are the driving forces behind these rallies. Mainly supported by the old middle class of Turkey. They feel left alone, in the cold. Not profiting from the economical revival. And they are angry that Erdogan let slip many things out of his hands.
So, it's not only about secularism and Islamism. But yes, indeed the CHP (btw, no information about this party available on Internet) is playing the fear-card.

By the way, I like the black and white picture!

Greek Name Days

St. Constantinus and St. Helen.

Greeks have 'name days' besides birthdays as nearly each day of the year is dedicated to one of the Christian saints.
So, the day you are born means: you have a birthday and a name day related to that Saint of that particular day you are born on.
Although birthdays became more common, name days are still celebrated.
Yes, the Greek Orthodox religion plays a significant part in the lives of the Orthodox Greeks.
Click here for a list of name days. Or this more specific list.

Happy Merger? Happy Marriage?

This doesn't look like a happy "collaboration". And the two guys don't look happy at all. I am curious if they have ever heard about 'campaign strategies', or 'communication management'. Looks like these people still believe in the 'communistic strategies' instead of listening to their voters.
I simply can not understand why this kind of politicians attract voters. And for your and their information: the Cold War is over! Looks like they bring this war within Turkish borders...

The ongoing debate

On the ongoing debate in Turkey about which party is reliable and which is not, the following article is interesting, click here.

The author is a former member of the General Assembly and Executive Board of the CHP.

Mrs. Gül

She said that she had noticed the anger on the faces of the people at the mass "republican rallies".
"When you look at the past of these angry people you notice that they grew up without love. This is why I am not angry at them. Life is short and beautiful, why are we consuming it with these arguments?"

Mrs. Hayrünnisa Gül

In an interview with Sabah, published in Today's Zaman, Mrs. Gul makes a statement unworthy for a possible first lady by denigrating other people their views.

Strange sounds...

According to a survey released this weekend, only 28% of the Dutch are in favor of a possible Turkish membership of the EU. And 67% are against. This has more to do with the rapid expansion of the EU with 12 countries in 3 years. Believe me.
The day before this survey was released the Minister of Justice in the Netherlands, Hirsch Balin, (this is another article) issued a statement that the EU must be aware and respect the 'special role' the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) are playing in the Turkish society. While the EU is urging that the TSK must stay out of politics.
And on the same day the Somalia-born-Muslim Ayaan Hirsi Ali, now a Dutch citizen, told in an interview with the German newspaper Der Welt, that the Turkish Army can keep Europe safe of Islamic extremism....oink...

Something in the air..

Tomorrow another demonstration. This time in Izmir. The most liberal city of Turkey.
I don't see these demonstrations as only anti-government but also anti-establishment.
In fact, the atmosphere of the long hot summer of 1967 of Europe and the USA, merely Paris, Amsterdam and San Fransisco, which was dominated by anti-establishment, first feminist move and anti-consumptism, is in the air.
With the upcoming elections in July, this will be an interesting spring and summer for Turkey.
As they say that this demonstration will be the last one, I have my doubts. I foresee some uproar. Hopefully peacefully.

An interview with Nurduran Duman

For those interested in Nurduran Duman, the poet, and her work, today's Cumhuriyet Kitap Eki (Cumhuriyet Book Addition) published an article and picture, another one than the two which I use. She looks a little Holy in these ones..))
And I am sorry, can not provide a link since Cumhuriyet is still not in the digital time frame.
Old socialist who became reactionary.

Poem three - Sea Language and Literature

Deniz Dili ve Edebiyatı
(Sea Language and Literature)

müjde. gün döndü güle bakanlar
yaşasın! uzun yıllar var bahçeme
düşmedi kötü niyetli yaprak
Düşse de, yıkadım uykumda geceleri
yaktım koyu mavi çizgidendi direği
çürük, yelkenleri yamalı.

şimdi tüm ırmaklar denize!
kan, sinir uçları hepsi
böbrek taşları hep denize!

suya bakan yüzler gördüm
anahtarları iki kaş arasında
iki orman ortasından geçiyor yolları
kalbime. Kalbim susma sakın
bu çırpıntı, bu aşk!
Hey sevmesini sevdiğim…
Hadi denize.

Nurduran Duman

Just bad propaganda

Putting this picture on the front page of TDN is a pragmatic choice.
It shows his bad side: a populist. And that he is a fanatic believer in France Grandeur. His 'finger' shows: remember! Also: 'remember and be warned'.

On the other side, Turkey is so obsessed with who is in charge in France that it thinks he is the one who can be blamed for Anti-Turkism...
But let's be reasonable: his primary goal is the liberalization of the old socialistic French republic. I don't think Turkey is high in his agenda.
It looks like, according the Turkish press, that only Germany, France and sometimes the UK have a say in Turkey's EU bid. They are deadly wrong.
Turkey simple doesn't understand the consensus policy which dominates the EU. A policy which can be more efficient than any other system.

The ride of my life! A roller coaster...

Just back from an exhausting trip of 42 hours to Amsterdam and back to Istanbul.
Beside the discouraging information my Turkish friends and partners faced, they had still fun, although we all almost fell asleep during a dinner on Monday night..!!!
But our flight yesterday back to Istanbul is another story. It started good; we were all upgraded to business class.
The captain told that the trip would be quick. Clear view, no delays expected.

Flying to Turkey means flying over Hungary, and there the troubles started: lots of turbulence first and then suddenly coffee and wine was flying around in the cabin and people became really afraid; the plane hit a bubble in the air. Just in an area with a lot of thunder and light. So, the pilots started to climb over these nasty clouds, which took 30 minutes.
But compliments to the captain who kept all the time the passengers informed.
In the end, we arrived 30 minutes before planned arrival time in Istanbul.

Turkey for sale? Turkey submissive?

Sorry to say, but I see more and more comments in the Turkish press and on blogs that the AK government is submissive to the EU...
To help everybody out this fable: Turkey is the only country since the establishment of the EEG (former name of the EU) which tries over and over again to change the criteria of a club they want to be a member of...the Copenhagen Criteria, Treaty of Maastricht, Treaty of Nice...and even the CA, the 'constitution' of the EU..

And then, you have these people who are saying that this government is selling this country out, while Turkey has the most restricted rules of the greater European area regarding foreign investments and buying property.
And did Turkey not confiscate property of 'their' foreigners over the last 100 years?

KLM, the Reliable Airline?

Will fly tomorrow morning at 5.30 am (!) to Amsterdam. I don't like this flight, it means that I have to wake up at 2.30 am, on my way to the airport by 3.00 am and check-in at 4.00 am.

Will be in Amsterdam by 8.00 am, local time, and will have the first meeting at 09.30 am, and the last one that day at 8.00 pm (dinner). Not something to look forward to.

KLM is using the motto: The Reliable Airline. Here are some comments. You can make up your own mind.

How to address a Nation III

As in my former posts, I promised to write about Mr. Erdogan's speech which he delivered last Monday, April the 30th.
I see this not from a political point of view, but as a foreigner who is living in Turkey.

Honestly, Mr. Erdogan's speech was bad from the beginning until the end, from my observation as an international communication manager.

Why? I shall explain this in detail.

First of all, there was and is a mini-crisis in Turkey. Which means that either the President or the Prime Minister has to ease the tension! To avoid speculations about 'who did what', simple: tell what is going on.
Instead of a clear explanation about the increasing tensions, the Turkish nation saw a bad 30 minutes promo about how well the economy is doing. No words about the social standards of the average Turks and nothing about the their struggle for life, neither about the tension with the military nor with the EU. Not one word to the people about what really is going on. Only empty words about: Let's Unify.
Nothing wrong with promoting what you did, but don't use your time as a Prime Minister by what you and your party have achieved, while ignoring the tensions and protests in the streets and the country.
Also, Turkey became more polarized while the PM was asking for unification. And in this speech there was no sign of consensus or compromise. It was party politics as usual. And that's exactly what you don't do in this situation. Addressing the Nation means being above all parties.

Second: it takes 5 minutes for an ordinary statesman to highlight his or her mission.
30 minutes of preaching will have a boomerang effect. You don't get your message understood.Listeners will get confused. And all the facts you want to bring over will fade away as a leaf, blow away in the wind.

And last but not the least: the footage.

If you address a nation which is in crisis, don't use the propaganda tool. Be fair. Don't misuse the situation to broadcast a bad promo. And don't compare Turkey now with Turkey in 1923. The facts which were shown are hilarious. Also, it's not good to broadcast all the time short shots of people applauding for you, which leave the impression that a new cult was created. A new cult, but this time about Mr. Erdogan. Are we serious?

The 4th and 5th of May in the Netherlands

The Dutch remember the victims of the Second World War on the 4th of May. At 8 o'clock, two minutes of silence. It's always an impressive but sober moment, especially in the Dam Square in Amsterdam. Normally very noisy but then complete silence.
The Queen and her son, in military uniform. Read my article about why he is in military uniform by clicking here.


Also the Dutch Prime Minister addresses the country, with a short speech. Not like T.E. Erdogan, which was this week a promo-speech of 30 minutes!


The 5th of May is Liberation Day, celebrating the end of the Second World War in Europe (in the Far East the Japanese whee still at war). There are celebrations throughout the Netherlands. But in the last years it became more a 'theme day', with this year the theme of Freedom, the rights of the Constitution and security. Also a traditional reading (or lecture) by a prominent Dutch person this year, the former Minister for Development Cooperation and the former Special Representative Secretary General of the United Nations in Sudan, Khartoum, Prof. Jan Pronk.

How to address a nation II

More than 80% of our communication is non-verbal. And therefore propaganda is a dangerous tool as I stated in my article of Wednesday, April 24th.

Enfin, wanted to write down here why T.E. Erdogan missed a Golden Goal this week Monday when he made a speech on Television. But my computer is not listening to me anymore. Will bring it to the Laptop Hospital tonight.

Until later!

Festivals for free

One of the things I miss of the Netherlands are the festivals, which are for free. Not only on Queen's Day but also random. And especially with the Uitmarkt in Amsterdam, the opening of the new cultural season at the end of August is 4 days fun.
The Boulevard of Broken Dreams started there.

It's all so double

Two years ago, I think, I spoke with a Turkish-Armenian and recently with a Greek Orthodox. But I asked a simple question: "How is life for you in Turkey?". And both gave the same answer: more relaxed.
But when I talked with several Christians here, they started to complain, and were scared. And had the feeling that it became not easier for them under this regime.

Being other than a Muslim and expressing this openly became a big deal. Being other than a Turk is another case. Life is easy. But it's again religion which divides us, while the purpose of religion is joy and bringing people together.

How to address a Nation

Yes, it was the BBC which brought the news first that the Prime Minister of Turkey would address the nation at 20.15 local time on the 30th of April. The Turkish media were slower. Either they don’t have the equipment, or they lack the courage to bring Flash news.

With this I mean: news which is news worthy. No speculations. I see too often the ‘?’ sign above articles and comments. Which leads always to speculations. The first trap for the reader.

Anyway, I am a foreigner, and therefore suspicious, especially when I talk or write. But I don’t want to get mangled in Turkish politics. But I can assure you that the Turkish politicians from right to left, from conservative to liberal (are there any?), are the reasons that Turkish image vanished upon today; which makes life not easier for Turkish people when they want to go abroad for personal reasons, or, simply, to do business.

More later about my professional view regarding T.E. (no, not E.T) Erdogan's speech. And the opportunity of a Golden Goal, which he missed by the way...sleep well!

The reputation of a headscarf

It takes 10 years to build a respected brand reputation, but you can destroy it in 5 minutes.
The Internet coup by the military was a start, but now it looks like that Turkey cannot get enough of all the negative images they are sending out! They are in the spotlight of the international media, and they don't want to leave the stage.

And..will the tourists come back this year? Good for the hard valuate.

Never heard that a country is sending its government away because it developed a rising economy, reshaping the social structure for its people, and last but not the least: was finally on track with what it promised before it came into power.
And this all because of a headscarf... Explore your senses, is what they promise in Greece...

I am knocking my head to the wall since I can not understand it anymore...

Where do you want to be on Labor Day...

In Istanbul, where on Labor Day, the police clashed with demonstrators...(this time not a demonstration organized by the retired generals and officers..)

Or being on the beach at Scheveningen (La Hague) where it's unusually warm for the time of the year....

Click here for another interesting article about the developments in Turkey. Yes, these are exciting times for news reporters!

Orange in The Netherlands, Red in Turkey...

While the streets of Istanbul colors red with Turkish flags everywhere, the Netherlands celebrated under a beautiful blue sky Queen's Day, and everything turned into orange, party color of the Dutch...

Thirsty?

This monkey was so thirsty that he needed a drink.
And he knows the way to get it for free...
Sometimes I am curious what monkeys think about human mankind...
Picture was taken today in Kashmir, India.

The world rallies for Darfur, Istanbul for Ataturk

The rally in Istanbul. Many friends went there. I personally don't like this kind of 'nationalism', I am a European. I feel myself more European than Dutch. I understand the fear of many Turks about Islamic tendencies in the current government. But this country is a Muslim country, or am I wrong? The fear about the sharia is baseless, since this is absolutely not in line with the Acquis communautaire of the EU, to which the current government is committed, too. And regarding the EU, once you checked in you can never leave.
But demonstrations like this, confirm that the people became more mature in politics under the current government.


But Darfur is really a disaster zone. World wide protest and campaign to stop the violence there. And I wonder if the Turks are aware who started the genocide in this part of Sudan. The only thing I know is that they stopped at the UN a genocide exhibition related to Darfur, Sudan. I didn't see any protest about this today...

Queen's Day in the Netherlands

Yes, this is Queen's day in the Netherlands. The National party of our Queen. It's for free to join. And it looks like this year, with temperatures of 26 degrees, it will be a fantastic event. People can prepare themselves for this day during the weekend. But I am sure that many will not make it the first of May to work.

Queen's Day is celebrated on the 30th of April, the birthday of our former Queen, Juliana; our much beloved Queen from 1948 until 1980.
Especially in the big cities of the Netherlands, it's party time! Starting already on the 29th of April at 18.00

Yes, this was 2001, and it was nice weather. Queen's Day is fun. It's for young and old. And it's striking how the Dutch behave that day: it's carnival for them!

Picture made in Vondelpark Amsterdam. Throughout the year a place to rest, and enjoy the multi-national faces of Amsterdam.

Who is concerned about Turkish Image?

These are interesting days in Turkey. And, yes, now big parts of the world are watching the Turks. First the Turkish Armed Forces warned the current government of the AK Party that 'they' (read: the army) also have a say in the debate about who will be the next president. Then the EU warned the Turkish army not to interfere. At last but not the least, the Turkish government warns the Turkish army that the Prime minister is still above the army.
The only country which didn't warn was the USA. But they condemned the statements made by the 'Generals'.
In the end, this is not good for Turkish image!

Only Burma, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Libya, Egypt, and Thailand are ruled by the military.
Does Turkey as a candidate member of the EU belong here?
Although Turkish army is respected, it's feared as well.
It would be an economical disaster and a setback for years if the military would have a say in politics.
For more info about military who like to play around with countries click here.

Poem two - On the Secret Bridge

On the Secret Bridge
(Sır Köprüsünde)

kör bir dizeye şarkı öğretir gibi
diziyorum kıldan ince sözlerimi
hazır ol! duruyorum, tetikte kalbim
kalbine diyez seslerle yüzüyorum

Adımın sol anahtarı yok
Yüzümün yelkeni yırtıldı

çatlak ar damarına giriyorum usulca
günaha giriyorum ellerinde gezinmek suç
edepsiz notaların işgalinde nefesim
korkuyorum...üflesem düşeceksin

Aklım düşmemeli bu savaşta
Hâlâ sıcak dönüş yolu

kör bir dizeye şarkı söyletir gibi
tutuyorum kılıçtan keskin sözlerimi
sol göğsünün kapısında nöbette
ateşten bir nehirle susuyorum

Adımın sol anahtarı yok
Yüzümün yelkeni...

Nurduran Duman

Istanbul, city of restaurants

Had some friends over from the Netherlands, and went to some restaurants. And I can tell you, there are thousands of restaurants in Istanbul. I know a lot of them on the European side, but still 'where shall we go this time?'. Too many choices all the time.
But we made it one night to Venge in Levent and one evening to LOFT. First was kebab and second more international style, although the 'style' of service is not international, it's Turkish. And not one European country can compete with that...
Most EU bureaucrats know this..))

A new President for Turkey?

A. Gul for President. That will be an earthquake for Turkey. Personally, I don't think that he is a bad choice. Unfortunately, his wife is wearing not a headscarf, but is covered in a comical way, which will not attribute to Turkish modern image.

On the other side, Turkey claimed to be secular for decades, but was not; it suppressed its Muslim religion and as a result, National-islamists harmed Turkey more than this government over the past five years. Its secularism was a religion by itself.

Turkey needs more publicity, not propaganda

This article is published in the Turkish Daily News of April 24, 2007

If Turkey wants to have a peaceful, stable and tolerant image in the world through a pluralistic society, which it claims to be, Turkish society must be based upon freedom of speech, freedom in the economical sense and equality in social life. And the flow of information must be as free as a bird.
Turkey is to some (too) far right wing European politicians what garlic is to vampires: the mere mention of it sends them into convulsions. They try to associate Turkey in the public opinion with bully talkers, ultra nationalism and intolerance against other faiths. It is simple for them: Turkey, as a country, threatens, suppresses and denies “others.” Yes, Turkey is also responsible for this, as it has been sending out decades of ambivalent power play with words like, “The world is watching us at each step we take,” or “Let us do it our way.”

Read the full article by clicking here

Children's day in Turkey and elsewhere

Just asked several Turkish friends if the Turkish Children's Day is unique in the world. All answered, yes. Without even thinking. Feel a little sorry for them since the first ICD (International Children's Day) was announced at the World Conference in Geneva, 1925!

While the UN and UNESCO changed this in 1954 to November the 20th, although many countries have another day. For example India, which chose the birthday of their first PM, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the 14th of November as their Children's Day. Funny detail is that the 14th of November is exactly 9 months after the 14th of February, Valentin's Day of 2007. Also New Zealand has its own Te Rā O Te Tamariki on the 4th of March. Can make an endless list.

What disturbs me at the moment is that in Turkey they are misusing children on this day for political purposes. It's all about Ataturk: singing about him, dancing for him, reciting him etcetera. Or for Mohammed. Everything fine with me but as long as these two components of the Turkish society can not even leave their children celebrate in peace, on this particular day, they have to de-Ataturk the Turkish society since his words: 'You don't have to see me, but you have to understand me', is not for them.

The Poet, a second introduction

Nurduran Duman was born in Çan, a county of Çanakkale.
She graduated from İstanbul Technical University, Faculty of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering as a Naval Architect and Ocean Engineer.

Her poem collection “Yenilgi Oyunu” was rewarded with 2005 Cemal Süreya Poem Awards Jury Special Award. Yenilgi Oyunu was published in 2006.

Her poems, translations (poems and stories), poetic articles, book reviews and interviews with foreign writers have been published in various magazines such as Cumhuriyet Kitap, Varlık, Yasakmeyve, Eşik Cini, Edebiyat ve Eleştiri, etcetera.
In addition she has been conducting many theatre activities in various positions (actress, director, theater electrician, etc.) for years.
Currently she is the producer and presenter of the radio programme “Yazın Küresi” in Özlem Radyo.

Sunday; the weekly day of rest in a Muslim country

Sunday is the weekly day of rest in the Christian world. Saturday is the weekly day of rest in the Jewish state of Israel, Muslim countries and among Jewish communities. But in Turkey with a predominantly Muslim population (99%), Sunday is the weekly day of rest. If you can speak of a rest day; a lot of shops are open and people are 'beeing' around. And Turks have to work, hard, so often on Sunday as well.

Ataturk introduced a 'Free Sunday' in 1935 among other social reforms:

The activities of religious sects were banned by law (1925);
Western calendar was introduced (1925);
International numeric system was introduced (1928);
The Metric system was introduced (1931);
The nicknames and personal titles were abolished (1934);
Religious attire was prohibited in public (1934);
According to this law, religious personalities, irrespective of the religious groups they belong to, were not to wear religious attire in public but only in their sanctuaries.
The surname law was introduced (1934);
The modern secular system of jurisprudence instead of religious law is integrated (1926);
The liberation of the women of Turkey by giving them political and social rights.
a) Rights brought with medeni kanun (1926);
b) Rights for women to be elected for the parliament (1926).

See here the friction with the Muslim world!

Concept maker or (copy) writer

When I wrote my first article (a simple press release) some 20 years ago, people liked my style, the concept, but were very critical about my (Dutch) grammar. So, I improved it since then. But since I think in concepts, I write and never have an eye for the grammar. That stayed so when I worked as a copy writer: always someone was proofreading what I produced.

Especially when you write on a computer, you don't see your own typo faults, and that's a fact.
Now I am writing in English for almost 10 years. I thought that I developed this language better than French, which was for a long time my second language (besides German), but after harsh criticism of a Turkish Lady in Florence, Yasemin (view her blog), I decided to appoint her as my editor. Also since I write columns once in a while. She thankfully accepted the job..))

I am a concept maker, with eyes for details, but not for grammar. Long live the Editor, but the Concept maker is still Alive!

Poem one

Yarım Çember

Bulmak için o yitik dizeyi
lanetli bir yaşamla
takas ettim kendimi
tuzdan duvarlar ördüm denize
bir adım iki göz evime

yoksul kazılar yaptım som kaleler
ölümü sağ gözüme gömdüm
dirimi sığdıramadım yerin yüzüne

sihirli sulardan içtim, yüzdüm de...
bu yüzden bulanıktır aklım

Yazmak için o dizeyi
lanetli bir aşkla ödeştim
çirkinleştiğim oldu gece yarıları
çirkef sözcüklerle seviştiğim

ilişkiler dokudum pamuk ipliği
kimi çizsem kırılmadım, koptum
kime dokunduysam yaralı

bir yarım çemberin üstünde
geçtim içdenizlerini sevginin

bir yanım hep yarımdır bu yüzden

Nurduran Duman

Introducing Nurduran Duman, the poet.

This is Nurduran Duman, an old colleague of mine and friend, who decided several years ago to stop working for the organization I shortly worked for.

She is dedicating her energy now for her poems, a courageous step. Since not that many people in Turkey are reading.

Soon you will find her poems here under the label: Nurduran Duman, a Turkish poet.

When will this change...

The brutal slaughtering of three Christians in Malatya, Turkey by Islam-nationalists (you have them in all tastes and colors) shows again that the Turkish state, doesn't matter if it is ruled by democratic Islamists, Kemalists or socialists, can not even protect its tiny minority of less than 1% of non-Muslims.

In contrary to the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Germany and so on, where Muslims can practice and advertise their religion freely without risking their lives. And even in these European countries they have a say in politics. The massive outcry in the Turkish press over these murderers looks hypocritical. Nothing will change as long as Turkey doesn't restructure the back bones of the Turkish society. And as long as that is not the case nothing will change in the mindset of the Turkish people: Christians are in Turkey to convert Muslims to Christianity. This doctrine and excuse is not valid anymore.

When I read the columnists of today, I got a terrible feeling. But I want to make an exception for Mustafa Aykol, whose comments and columns are like a scream in the dark. I recommend his writing in his blog of The White Path. And of Ziya Meral, his column 'the banality of the murders'.

Greek-Turkish Love

Yes, so much is said about Turkish-Greek relations that it seems as if it is impossible to bring people from both countries together. Dead wrong!
Here a picture of a Turkish-Greek couple...
Can you see at their faces where they are from? Who is 'the Greek' and who is 'the Turk'?
Enjoy! The picture is not that clear since I made it with my cellular phone.

The spreading of the Light

Although already back in Istanbul, want to share with you all one event in Greece.

It was Easter Saturday, April the 7th, and it was quite impressive: The spreading of the Light.

On the Holy Feast of Pasha, Greek Orthodox Christians celebrate the life-giving Resurrection of their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This feast of feasts is the most significant day in the life of the Church. It is a celebration of the defeat of death. In this victory that came through the Cross, Christ broke the bondage of sin, and through faith offers his followers restoration, transformation, and eternal life.

Before midnight on Saturday evening, the Odes of Lamentation of the previous day are repeated. The Orthros of the Resurrection begins in complete darkness. The priest takes light from the vigil light and gives it to the faithful, who are holding candles. The priest sings: "Come ye and receive light from the unwaning light, and glorify Christ, who arose from the dead", and all the people join him in singing this hymn again and again. From this moment, every Christian holds the Easter candle as a symbol of his vivid, deep faith in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ as Savior. In many churches the priest leads the people outside the church, where he reads the Gospel which refers to the Angels' statement: "He is Risen; He is not here,” (Mark 16:1-8).

And there were a lot of people outside on the streets, and when the first candle came out the church the light was spreading quickly. Yes, this was impressive!

A church in Thessaloniki

Drove yesterday from Athens back to Thessaloniki.
While the air was really dry and nice in Athens, Thessaloniki is humid. All the time you have the feeling that you fall asleep. Perfect environment for a holiday!

Today to a shopping mall: Cosmos. Owned by the Greek Orthodox church, so between all kind of outdoor restaurants and bars, and in fact in the middle of the shopping complex, a Greek Orthodox Church was built. Who is telling me now that the Greek Orthodox is not dominant in the Greek society? Got a lot of reactions from Greeks who simple deny this after my article about EU and Cyprus.

Easter Sunday

Yes, this picture looks like the photo made in Bodrum, on the right hand side column of my blog. But this is Pireau, a suburb of Thessaloniki. Beautiful scenery. The difference is that you can see a Greek island from Turkey, but you can not see Turkish land from Thessaloniki.
On Easter Sunday I drove through 'explore my senses' of Greece. And yes, it was nice. Had a nice piece of lamb on the beach, and enjoyed myself. Yes, definitely, the Greek cuisine is made for my stomach, Turkish one smells sometimes like hospital food: looks like they do their utmost best to cook the vitamins out.
The picture is made when I was waiting for my meal...

Flying Olympic Airways

This is a high wind propeller airplane.
Didn't know that these planes are still used for commercial purposes. But Olympic Airways is still using these machines: between Istanbul and Thessaloniki. Not more than 50 people can go with it! And I was thinking last week Thursday, the first day of Greek Orthodox Easter, that this flight could be crowded. Especially since there are only 2 flights each week from Istanbul to the second city of Greece. But the flight was not even full!
Thirty years ago, while on my first visit to Athens, we booked an unexpected flight to Cairo. Never forget that trip since I was thinking by the start that we didn't get off the ground...
Now, sitting in Exit Row, I could hear the propellers banging in my ears for 1 hr and 10 minutes.
No, not fun at all. Also the flight was delayed twice. We took off 20 minutes after the flight was supposed to land in Thessaloniki. I am curious about my flight this Sunday: Thessaloniki-Athens-Istanbul.

The world really doesn't know what really happened in Cyprus

The world really doesn’t know what really happened in Cyprus and why Turks occupied it. A paradigm shift within the EU on how to perceive Cyprus is needed, and the only one who can do this are the Turks, who should tell their story more effectively.
Cyprus and the EU - What matters is the perception

This article is published on Wednesday, April 4, 2007 in The Turkish Daily News
Read the full article by clicking here

Cyprus and the EU: what matters is perception

This article is published in the Turkish Weekly of March 31, 2007

The first time I heard about the Cyprus issue and the divided island, was when I was 16 years old, just back from a nice holiday in Italy. I remember hearing that the Turks invaded Cyprus: the Turks did it again. At least that was the news in the Netherlands. There was no internet, no international television channels like CNN, BBC World which are now broadcasting worldwide: we were dependent on printed media. No real-time coverage.

When I made my first trip to Turkey in 2002, 26 years later, I immediately clashed with Turkish people over Cyprus: in my opinion Turkey was wrong and they were the ones to blame for the status quo on Cyprus.
I was also annoyed that my Turkish friends referred to Cyprus as ‘Baby land’ while talking about it, as if it was a colony of their Turkey: their Motherland. The vast majority of them had an outspoken opinion about ‘Peace Mission to Cyprus’; it was the only solution to stop the violence over there. And it belongs to Turkey.

Read the full article by clicking here.

Touchdown Amsterdam

It is already 10 weeks ago that I went for business to the Netherlands. This time an orientation trip with a Turkish client. Mostly after 2 days I am homesick to Istanbul, therefore now a short trip but with a full agenda.

Monday night dinner in one of the most fancy restaurants of Amsterdam: le Garage.
Yes, our Turkish clients like to have a good dinner in Amsterdam since a lunch in the Netherlands is most of the time some bread with cheese and 'karnemelk'.
But for sure they don't know the many famous faces in the mirrors of this restaurant. See the picture.

A stubborn Chinese

Good to see that there are still people who are not for sale. This Chinese refuses to sell his house to a project developer. Although surrounded by massive apartment buildings he is still standing strong.

Ataturk City

Just back from Ankara. Not my first time there, but my first stay in Ankara's Swiss Hotel. I know that Turks like to get everything overheated, so my nice room. Took me some time to discover how to open the windows; I need fresh air during the night.
Yes, I like the residential areas of Ankara, with its streets full of trees. In Istanbul they replaced a complete forest for some apartment buildings.
But what always depress me in Ankara are the government buildings, the apartments complex for the average Turks full with Ataturk pictures, statues, flags, and so on. Ankara looks like the former East European block countries: no fantasy at all regarding design.
Nothing wrong about Ataturk and his well being soul, but is he not a little bit over exposed everywhere?
As the founder of the modern republic and the first President of Turkey, people adore him as a god. But nation states have to move one. Was and is there not any other Turkish president who did a lot for the 'well being' of Turkey?
Just a simple question...
Anyway, I baptised Ankara in Ataturk City! Not one Turk came up with this idea, so I did it...

Turkey needs to express itself better to the world

This article is published in Turkish Daily News of March 15, 2007.

What Turks miss is that the promotion of a country is most effectively done by its individual citizens. Turkish patriots would do a better job if they stopped hacking Greek and Kurdish Web sites, and start launching their own blogs that will give the taste of Turkey to foreigners.
Turkey might not have diamonds but it sits on silver, gold and bronze: Many civilizations have left traces in Turkey. However, it looks like the Turks are the last to acknowledge it, or simply they don't care. Turkish history books are heavily focused on Atatürk. Yes, Atatürk was a visionary, but Turkey should focus on its real culture and heritage. There is a lot to discover without falling into political debates all the time, damaging once again Turkey's image by sending out dualistic and schizophrenic signals.

Read the full article by clicking here.

Social Media

One week ago I read in one of the main Turkish newspapers that within 5 years all Turkish companies will have a blog. I don't think so.

More than one year ago I gave one prospect of mine, a company which is 'heavenly' dependent on online tools, to get a blog. They told me: 'No, maybe by the end of this decade we might need it'. And our former counter part agreed on this: it was too sky rocking for Turkey! How do they dare to say this?

I agree that on the social media front, blogs are around though they seem to be used much for discussing news items and politics. And yes, people like to talk and chat in Turkey - think only about all the messages which are 'delivered' from cumba to cumba (balcony) - but that doesn't mean that social media - online tools - will not hit the scores in Turkey.
Therefore: for them who put a ban on YouTube last week: Get a Second Life!

Opening Day

The lush countryside of Liechtenstein, which has 14 villages.
For more info: