As many fans of the genre know, Turkey produced a lot of great psych folk and rock in the ’70s. 3 Hur-El and Mogollar are two of the more well-known acts from those days, their louder, more rock ‘n’ roll sound drowning the likes of singer/composer Bulent Ortacgil, a more soft-spoken and contemplative figure in Turkish rock history. His quiet, spare, and understated acoustic style punctuated have garnered him comparisons to Nick Drake and Cat Stevens, and with the recent re-release by Korean label 1 Numera of his 1974 debut album, Benimle Oynar Misin, he’s set to reach a new generation of fans outside his home country.

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A university lecturer’s elderly father pays a prostitute to leave her profession and live with him, then accidentally kills her, kicking off a series of events with the only common link being those implicated attempting to do one good dead. The university lecturer attempts to find the prostitute’s estranged daughter, who is at the same time being chased by authorities in different countries because of her political activities. Set in Germany and Turkey, and told in several languages, this is a truly international film that focuses on a search for meaning and purpose in an otherwise mundane existence. The scenery plays a central role in the many quiet scenes, often conveying intense emotions. While difficult to watch, this is a film that is not easily forgotten, making it both powerful and beautiful.

My friend, illustrator Ai Tatebayashi, is known for her lovely color schemes and she forwarded me the link to this beautiful handknit accessory store from Istanbul. With Etsy, we can now purchase talented designer’s work from all over the world. And I couldn’t resist, I bought a necklace-scarf and cannot wait until it comes to my door!