Nazım Hikmet (1902–1963)
Turkey
In August, I visited Istanbul to present at the ninth biennial conference on Iranian Studies (ISIS). During my stay, I heard many stories from an amazing city: some narrated by its buildings, some by its locals, and others by its poets. I turn to my lens to tell mine:
 Istanbul |  Istanbul, Beyoğlu, Galata Tower |  Istanbul, Blue Mosque |  Istanbul |  Istanbul: Magic or… |  Istanbul Skyline |
Galloping from the Far East
reaching to the Mediterranean like a mare head
this land is ours.
Wrists in blood, teeth clenched, feet bare
and like a silk carpet this land,
this hell, this heaven is ours.
Let the alien doors be closed, let them not open again,
abolish man’s servitude to man,
this invitation is ours.
To live like a tree in solitude and free
and like a forest in solidarity,
this yearning is ours.
 Istanbul, Taksim Square |  Istanbul |  Istanbul, Blue Mosque |  Istanbul, Hagia Sofia |  Istanbul, Blue Mosque |  Istanbul, Hagia Sofia |  Istanbul, Hagia Sofia |  Istanbul, Hagia Sofia |  Istanbul, Hagia Sofia |  Istanbul |  Istanbul, Dolmabahçe Palace |  Istanbul, Topkapi |
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