by Dennis | June 15, 2015 | Culture and History, Travel Tips and Visiting Info
Mosques (called cami in Turkish) are some of the most prominent and significant buildings in Bursa, and they are a central part of Bursa’s life, culture, and history. Most of them—especially the historical ones—are welcoming to tourists, and visiting a mosque or two...
by Dennis | May 6, 2015 | Culture and History, Featured Fotoğrafı
In this Featured Fotoğrafı, Bursa’s whirling dervishes perform in the city’s Karabaş-i Veli Culture Center. Tucked away on a quiet side street in Bursa’s old Ībrahimpaşa neighborhood stands the Karabaş-i Veli Culture Center, one of Bursa’s last...
by Dennis | April 13, 2015 | Culture and History, News and Events
This month, the city is celebrating the 689th anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of Bursa. Each April for the past 11 years, Bursa has celebrated this significant event. Called the Osman Gazi Remembrance and Bursa Conquest Festival, activities include a parade, art...
by Dennis | March 6, 2015 | Culture and History, Featured Fotoğrafı
Now that spring is arriving in Bursa, it’s time to start thinking about dusting off the grill. With that idea in mind, I dug up this photo from last fall that I’d like to share as today’s Featured Fotoğrafı. This photo of hard-working yet fun-loving grill masters was...
by Dennis | December 26, 2014 | Featured Fotoğrafı
In this week’s featured photo, members of a traditional Turkish marching troop (mehter takımı) stand in downtown Bursa with bells in hand. Called çevgan, this musical marching instrument consists of rings of bells attached to a long stick. These men are part of...
by Dennis | December 22, 2014 | Thoughts and Musings, Winter
There are times when living as a foreigner among Turkish people is really enjoyable. Like when they stop you in the street, shake your hand, and ask you to sit down for a cup of tea. Or when they bend down to greet your children with a kiss and a pinch on the...
by Dennis | October 28, 2014 | Culture and History
Karagöz and Hacivat are famous Turkish shadow puppets and, as far as I can tell, the unofficial ambassadors of Bursa. Loved by all, these two entertaining characters are found everywhere in Bursa–in shops, on billboards, in books, on posters, even inlaid in tile...
