You can find the compiled notes on the meeting called Group Therapy 1: “The Last Few Years of Beyoglu”, which started off as a joke we ended up liking, below.
Date: 25th of September, Wednesday
Time: 18:00
Venue: Kontra Record Store
Address: Tomtom Mahallesi, Yeni Çarşı Cad. 60/A
Participants (in alphabetical order)
Ahmet Aydemir (Bova)
Aydın Dorsay (Borusan Sanat)
Çağıl Özdemir (3dots)
Efecan Bozkurt (Anahit Sahne)
Hakan Gür (Kiki)
Kaan Sezyum (Müzisyen, Yazar)
Kerem Gokbuget (Borusan Sanat)
Linda Banjska (Borusan Sanat)
Murat Sezgi (3dots)
Okan Aydın (Kontra Record Store)
Zuhal Focan (Nardis Jazz Club)
These topics were discussed in turns during “Beyoglu’s Last Few Years, Group Therapy Session” which lasted for an hour.
– The transformation Beyoglu has undergone in the last few years, with an emphasis on Taksim area.
– Babylon’s departure
– Gezi protests
– The change in demographics, community
– The steep drop in the number of expats and tourists
– The struggle between “Should we move to Moda” and “Can we leave here” ideas
– Economical situation and its effects
– The improvement that has happened recently and the Taksim ‘feeling’ that is slowly returning
– Expectations from Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the need for solidarity
– International success stories, what needs to happen according to us with a focus on Berlin-London examples.
These meetings will continue. Participants from other venues will be also joining us.
