'From Life Itself': The Tumult of Erdogan's Rule Examined Through an Istanbul District

 

'From Life Itself': The Tumult of Erdogan's Rule Examined Through an Istanbul District

A newly reviewed book, From Life Itself by Suzy Hansen (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), explores the political and social dynamics of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's administration by focusing on a single district within Istanbul. Profiled recently by The Economist, the 368-page book utilizes localized, ground-level observations to provide insights into the broader national and cultural shifts that have occurred in Turkey over recent years.

Sources & Links:

• The Economist: The tumult of Erdogan's rule, seen from one district in Istanbul

Perspectives on President Erdogan and Istanbul's Shifting Demographics

 

Perspectives on President Erdogan and Istanbul's Shifting Demographics

Recent reporting offers varied perspectives on the political and social climate in Istanbul and Türkiye. A piece in The Times examines President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's governance through the lens of a single Istanbul neighborhood, reflecting on the broader tightening of political control across the country. Additionally, The New York Times recently reviewed Suzy Hansen's book, "From Life Itself," which explores an Istanbul community to provide insights into Türkiye's political trajectory.

On a demographic note, municipal data highlighted by the Daily Sabah indicates shifting trends in the city's population management; Istanbul handled an average of 229 funerals daily in 2025, with nearly one-third of the deceased being buried outside the city limits.

Sources:

• The Times - Erdogan's rule, seen through the eyes of one Istanbul neighbourhood

• The New York Times - Book Review: 'From Life Itself,' by Suzy Hansen

• Haaretz - The Iran War Highlights Just How Much Erdogan Loathes the West - Opinion

• Daily Sabah - Istanbul handles average of 229 funerals daily in 2025

Reliving the 1970s: The Museum of Innocence and Istanbul's Cultural Memory

 

Reliving the 1970s: The Museum of Innocence and Istanbul's Cultural Memory

The preservation of Istanbul's rich cultural history remains a focal point for the city's artistic community. In the Çukurcuma neighborhood, the Museum of Innocence stands as a tangible portal to the past. Created by Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk, the museum serves as the closest living equivalent to the 1970s Istanbul depicted in his novel. Surrounded by old apartment blocks and second-hand dealers, the institution meticulously catalogs the everyday objects and atmosphere of a bygone era, preserving the city's intimate, domestic history amid rapid modern modernization.

Sources:

• Where Istanbul ends, the Museum of Innocence begins