Middle East eye

It’s no secret that Turkish people love to dance. While in most cultures, people break out in dance during weddings and special occasions, for Turkish people, it’s also very normal to dance during protests, national holidays, and even when campaigning for an election. 

Recently, Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, rolled up his sleeves and started dancing on stage in Trabzon, to a crowd of cheering people. Dancing is such an intrinsic part of Turkish culture, that it never really seems out of place.

But it’s never just a freestyle - rarely will you find a simple head bop or someone swaying with no rhythm. Turkish dancing always has structure and specific form. 

While dances vary from region to region, most of the moves have been passed down from previous generations and have historical significance. 

Here, we take a look at the three main styles of Turkish dances found around the country...

A century ago, the Turkish Republic was in the midst of dramatic upheavals that helped lay the foundations of the country we know today.

Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War One, the country was occupied by the victorious allies, including forces from Britain, France and Greece. 

To regain control of their country, Turkish revolutionaries embarked on a four-year-long War of Independence in 1919.

By October 1923, the Turks were back in control of their homeland and were ready to start all over again. There is one man who is credited with the transformations that followed: Mustafa Kemal Ataturk. 

His military prowess led his countrymen to victory and independence, while his reforms rapidly modernised a country reeling from war. Today, his picture is proudly displayed in every workplace, while his name adorns a multitude of streets, parks and buildings. 

But what of the other people who played a role in establishing the country? While history books remember a number of the men, the women who helped shape a nation have mostly been hidden. So, who were they? 

Flecked with gold and still boasting an array of magnificent hues, the rare 16th-century folio awaiting auction is unmistakably regal. And no wonder: it was once inside an edition of the Iranian Shahnameh, the Book of Kings. 

Now the masterpiece is set to star in the Arts of the Islamic World & India sale held at Sotheby’s, London on 26 October, carrying an estimated price tag of £4m-£6m ($4.52m-$6.78m). Such a value is to be expected: this folio was not just from any Shahnameh, but rather from the copy commissioned by Shah Tahmasp - a manuscript generally recognised as being one of the finest works of art in the world...

Each with his own style of facial hair, dark penetrating eyes and voluminous crown-like turban, the portraits currently awaiting the auctioneer’s gavel unmistakeably depict Ottoman royalty. The estimated price tag of a hefty £800,000-£1,200,000 further adds to their regal status.

Set to participate in The Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds auction at Christie's, London, on 28 October 2021, the six separate pieces depict Sultans Orhan I; Bayezid I; Mehmed I; Selim I and Selim II, as well as brother and rival of Mehmed I, Isa Celebi...

Arslankoy, high up in the Taurus Mountains and 60km away from the south-coast city of Mersin, is much like every other conservative Turkish village.Coffee houses burst with men and head-scarfed women bustle down the street. Those with an education have left for bigger cities; those that remain simply work the land.  

Yet Arslankoy stands out for one reason: it is home to incredibly strong women. Seventy-two years ago the village’s women rocked the country as they fought​ against the army after attempts at election fra​​​​​​ud by the then ruling party. Today, it’s 62-year-old Ummiye Kocak making waves as she and her all-female theatre group draw attention to social issues ranging from domestic abuse to climate change...