Turkey: Lost in Translation
@daphilz.bsky.social
An independent look at Turkish media and global media coverage of Turkey—its narratives, power plays, and the stories behind the headlines.
November 22, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Turkish Twitter is taking a toll on Zohran Mamdani’s 2013 tweet, in which he criticized the Gezi protesters. In that tweet, Mamdani wrote: To clarify: I fully support what the protests seem to stand for, but the idea of continuing Atatürk’s legacy raises a few questions.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
Turkish Twitter is taking a toll on Zohran Mamdani’s 2013 tweet, in which he criticized the Gezi protesters. In that tweet, Mamdani wrote: “To clarify: I fully support what the protests seem to stand ...
substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Turkish Twitter is taking a toll on Zohran Mamdani’s 2013 tweet, in which he criticized the Gezi protesters. In that tweet, Mamdani wrote: To clarify: I fully support what the protests seem to stand for, but the idea of continuing Atatürk’s legacy raises a few questions.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Belgian dancer Ed People’s Istanbul videos went viral as strangers joyfully joined him dancing to Ankara folk music, perfectly capturing the Turkish expression for dancing at even the faintest sound.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
There’s a great Turkish expression: “kapı gıcırtısına oynamak.”
Literally “to dance even at the sound of a squeaky door,” it describes people who can’t help but start dancing the moment they hear eve...
substack.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Belgian dancer Ed People’s Istanbul videos went viral as strangers joyfully joined him dancing to Ankara folk music, perfectly capturing the Turkish expression for dancing at even the faintest sound.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Reposted by Turkey: Lost in Translation
Tetik argues that countless small self-interested acts—across government, business, and even the opposition—create a system of corruption and loyalty that undermines institutions and prevents meaningful political change.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
Let me begin with the proposed antidote for the corruption: refusing to normalize wrongdoing, and embracing what Žižek calls the stance of “I would prefer not to”: a quiet, passive form of resistance ...
substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Tetik argues that countless small self-interested acts—across government, business, and even the opposition—create a system of corruption and loyalty that undermines institutions and prevents meaningful political change.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Tetik argues that countless small self-interested acts—across government, business, and even the opposition—create a system of corruption and loyalty that undermines institutions and prevents meaningful political change.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
Let me begin with the proposed antidote for the corruption: refusing to normalize wrongdoing, and embracing what Žižek calls the stance of “I would prefer not to”: a quiet, passive form of resistance ...
substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Tetik argues that countless small self-interested acts—across government, business, and even the opposition—create a system of corruption and loyalty that undermines institutions and prevents meaningful political change.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
A young CHP farmer from Denizli joins nationwide protests after İmamoğlu’s arrest, as individual acts of dissent complement CHP-organized demonstrations, highlighting quiet yet powerful resistance against Turkey’s growing authoritarian trajectory.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
A young CHP-member farmer from Denizli has added his voice to the nationwide protests that began after Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor and opposition candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu was arrested on March 19.
Wh...
substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:05 PM
A young CHP farmer from Denizli joins nationwide protests after İmamoğlu’s arrest, as individual acts of dissent complement CHP-organized demonstrations, highlighting quiet yet powerful resistance against Turkey’s growing authoritarian trajectory.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Alperen Şengün called rakı Turkey’s national drink in a viral video, sparking cultural debate as youth saw his comment as defying Erdoğan’s long-standing restrictions and promotion of ayran instead today.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
Full-Blown Turkish Culture Wars: Turkish Youth vs. Erdoğan
💫🏀 Alperen Şengün, the Houston Rockets’ rising star and Turkish national basketball team player, appeared on UNINTERRUPTED’s Off Day series,...
substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Alperen Şengün called rakı Turkey’s national drink in a viral video, sparking cultural debate as youth saw his comment as defying Erdoğan’s long-standing restrictions and promotion of ayran instead today.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Reposted by Turkey: Lost in Translation
Imam Bayildi means “the imam swooned.” This classic dish cooks whole eggplants in olive oil with an onion-garlic-tomato stuffing. I add Kalamata olives and basil—so good the imam might faint.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
🍆 The first dish made with eggplants in the video is called Imam Bayildi, which literally translates to “the imam swooned.” The name reflects the imam’s delight after tasting it. 👳🏻♂️📿
This beloved ...
substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Imam Bayildi means “the imam swooned.” This classic dish cooks whole eggplants in olive oil with an onion-garlic-tomato stuffing. I add Kalamata olives and basil—so good the imam might faint.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Reposted by Turkey: Lost in Translation
This morning I craved the warmth of that viral video—Mediterranean light, oranges, mint, village women dancing after missing Nutcracker tickets—a reminder of sunshine and slow rhythms on a winter day.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
Oldies but goldies.
Woke up this morning craving the warmth in this video - sunlight, the mingling scents of orange, fresh mint, thyme, and olive trees. 🌿🍋🍊🫒
An Istanbulite once went viral after Tan...
substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:36 AM
This morning I craved the warmth of that viral video—Mediterranean light, oranges, mint, village women dancing after missing Nutcracker tickets—a reminder of sunshine and slow rhythms on a winter day.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Imam Bayildi means “the imam swooned.” This classic dish cooks whole eggplants in olive oil with an onion-garlic-tomato stuffing. I add Kalamata olives and basil—so good the imam might faint.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
🍆 The first dish made with eggplants in the video is called Imam Bayildi, which literally translates to “the imam swooned.” The name reflects the imam’s delight after tasting it. 👳🏻♂️📿
This beloved ...
substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Imam Bayildi means “the imam swooned.” This classic dish cooks whole eggplants in olive oil with an onion-garlic-tomato stuffing. I add Kalamata olives and basil—so good the imam might faint.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
This morning I craved the warmth of that viral video—Mediterranean light, oranges, mint, village women dancing after missing Nutcracker tickets—a reminder of sunshine and slow rhythms on a winter day.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
Oldies but goldies.
Woke up this morning craving the warmth in this video - sunlight, the mingling scents of orange, fresh mint, thyme, and olive trees. 🌿🍋🍊🫒
An Istanbulite once went viral after Tan...
substack.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:36 AM
This morning I craved the warmth of that viral video—Mediterranean light, oranges, mint, village women dancing after missing Nutcracker tickets—a reminder of sunshine and slow rhythms on a winter day.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Reposted by Turkey: Lost in Translation
Left-wing populism may beat cautious centrism: Istanbul shows stipends, subsidies, and tax incentives can build a low-cost, effective welfare system that wins loyalty through good governance — a model for New York.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
“Maybe the answer to right-wing populism isn’t cautious centrism, but a more daring form of left-wing populism. Istanbul’s experiment suggests these kinds of policies are not only popular but sustaina...
substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Left-wing populism may beat cautious centrism: Istanbul shows stipends, subsidies, and tax incentives can build a low-cost, effective welfare system that wins loyalty through good governance — a model for New York.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Reposted by Turkey: Lost in Translation
Ekrem İmamoğlu, elected in 2019, expanded Istanbul social programs—dorms, transport, kindergartens—boosting popularity and winning 2024 reelection; now Erdoğan’s main rival despite politically viewed imprisonment earlier this year on contested charges.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
“Ekrem İmamoğlu, a young social democrat with a populist touch, was elected mayor of Istanbul in 2019 after 25 years of conservative rule. He ran on democracy and freedoms but also expanded the city’s...
substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Ekrem İmamoğlu, elected in 2019, expanded Istanbul social programs—dorms, transport, kindergartens—boosting popularity and winning 2024 reelection; now Erdoğan’s main rival despite politically viewed imprisonment earlier this year on contested charges.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Ekrem İmamoğlu, elected in 2019, expanded Istanbul social programs—dorms, transport, kindergartens—boosting popularity and winning 2024 reelection; now Erdoğan’s main rival despite politically viewed imprisonment earlier this year on contested charges.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
“Ekrem İmamoğlu, a young social democrat with a populist touch, was elected mayor of Istanbul in 2019 after 25 years of conservative rule. He ran on democracy and freedoms but also expanded the city’s...
substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Ekrem İmamoğlu, elected in 2019, expanded Istanbul social programs—dorms, transport, kindergartens—boosting popularity and winning 2024 reelection; now Erdoğan’s main rival despite politically viewed imprisonment earlier this year on contested charges.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Left-wing populism may beat cautious centrism: Istanbul shows stipends, subsidies, and tax incentives can build a low-cost, effective welfare system that wins loyalty through good governance — a model for New York.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
“Maybe the answer to right-wing populism isn’t cautious centrism, but a more daring form of left-wing populism. Istanbul’s experiment suggests these kinds of policies are not only popular but sustaina...
substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Left-wing populism may beat cautious centrism: Istanbul shows stipends, subsidies, and tax incentives can build a low-cost, effective welfare system that wins loyalty through good governance — a model for New York.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Reposted by Turkey: Lost in Translation
Jeffrey Epstein: Bad Pedophile was a documentary.
November 12, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Jeffrey Epstein: Bad Pedophile was a documentary.
Reposted by Turkey: Lost in Translation
Shock Legal Blow: İmamoğlu Faces 4,000-Page Indictment with Potential 2,352-Year Sentence
open.substack.com/pub/turkeylo...
open.substack.com/pub/turkeylo...
Shock Legal Blow: İmamoğlu Faces 4,000-Page Indictment for 142 Alleged Crimes, Potential 2,352-Year Sentence
İmamoğlu faces hundreds of charges, from violating civil and forestry laws to environmental pollution. Experts say the indictment appears politically motivated and disregards legal standards.
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Shock Legal Blow: İmamoğlu Faces 4,000-Page Indictment with Potential 2,352-Year Sentence
open.substack.com/pub/turkeylo...
open.substack.com/pub/turkeylo...
Reposted by Turkey: Lost in Translation
Turkey faces turmoil as prosecutors file a 3,900-page indictment against Istanbul’s municipality and notify the Supreme Court about alleged CHP fund misuse, sparking closure fears despite no formal request.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
🟥 🟥 🟥 Breaking news — The political scene in Turkey has been thrown into turmoil amid reports that the main opposition party, the CHP, could face closure. The stock market plunged following the specul...
substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Turkey faces turmoil as prosecutors file a 3,900-page indictment against Istanbul’s municipality and notify the Supreme Court about alleged CHP fund misuse, sparking closure fears despite no formal request.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Shock Legal Blow: İmamoğlu Faces 4,000-Page Indictment with Potential 2,352-Year Sentence
open.substack.com/pub/turkeylo...
open.substack.com/pub/turkeylo...
Shock Legal Blow: İmamoğlu Faces 4,000-Page Indictment for 142 Alleged Crimes, Potential 2,352-Year Sentence
İmamoğlu faces hundreds of charges, from violating civil and forestry laws to environmental pollution. Experts say the indictment appears politically motivated and disregards legal standards.
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Shock Legal Blow: İmamoğlu Faces 4,000-Page Indictment with Potential 2,352-Year Sentence
open.substack.com/pub/turkeylo...
open.substack.com/pub/turkeylo...
Turkey faces turmoil as prosecutors file a 3,900-page indictment against Istanbul’s municipality and notify the Supreme Court about alleged CHP fund misuse, sparking closure fears despite no formal request.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
🟥 🟥 🟥 Breaking news — The political scene in Turkey has been thrown into turmoil amid reports that the main opposition party, the CHP, could face closure. The stock market plunged following the specul...
substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Turkey faces turmoil as prosecutors file a 3,900-page indictment against Istanbul’s municipality and notify the Supreme Court about alleged CHP fund misuse, sparking closure fears despite no formal request.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Reposted by Turkey: Lost in Translation
On October 29, Turkey celebrated Republic Day nationwide. In Istanbul’s Kadıköy, thousands joined a torchlit parade on Bağdat Avenue with CHP leader Özgür Özel—an unforgettable sea of light and joy.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
Yaşasın Cumhuriyet, Yaşasın Cumhuriyet Devrimleri! ❤️🤍
Viva la République, viva la Révolution! 🇹🇷✨
Yesterday, on October 29, the entire country of Turkey, from its smallest, most remote, most conser...
substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:07 PM
On October 29, Turkey celebrated Republic Day nationwide. In Istanbul’s Kadıköy, thousands joined a torchlit parade on Bağdat Avenue with CHP leader Özgür Özel—an unforgettable sea of light and joy.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Reposted by Turkey: Lost in Translation
German-born cook Julius Fiedler explores Turkey’s Aegean coast, uncovering “zeytinyağlılar” — naturally vegan olive oil dishes like lentil and pumpkin fritters — revealing Turkey’s rich, plant-based culinary heritage beyond kebabs.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
Beyond Kebab: The Vegan Heart of Turkish Cuisine 🫒🌿
And some more food content.. German-born and London-based cook and content creator Julius Fiedler, known for his warm and mindful approach to plant...
substack.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:54 AM
German-born cook Julius Fiedler explores Turkey’s Aegean coast, uncovering “zeytinyağlılar” — naturally vegan olive oil dishes like lentil and pumpkin fritters — revealing Turkey’s rich, plant-based culinary heritage beyond kebabs.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Reposted by Turkey: Lost in Translation
Istanbul’s beloved mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, known as the “small-talk master,” mirrors Zohran Mamdani’s charm—using warmth, humor, and calm connection to turn tension into affection and win hearts across generations.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Fatma Akman-Lehmann (@turkeylostintranslation)
Are Only “Small-Talk Masters” Winning in Politics and Love? ❤️ 🗳️
There are many reasons why Istanbul’s imprisoned mayor and opposition presidential hopeful Ekrem İmamoğlu is so deeply loved by ordin...
substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Istanbul’s beloved mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, known as the “small-talk master,” mirrors Zohran Mamdani’s charm—using warmth, humor, and calm connection to turn tension into affection and win hearts across generations.
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
substack.com/@turkeylosti...
Reposted by Turkey: Lost in Translation
Fathers and Sons Turkish Edition, Vol. II: The Erdogans
Bilal Erdoğan, The Son, sits front row at government events with no official role and his NGO network received $175M from Istanbul Municipality and €1.2M in EU grants since 2019.
open.substack.com/pub/turkeylo...
Bilal Erdoğan, The Son, sits front row at government events with no official role and his NGO network received $175M from Istanbul Municipality and €1.2M in EU grants since 2019.
open.substack.com/pub/turkeylo...
Fathers and Sons Turkish Edition, Vol. II: The Erdogans
Bilal Erdoğan, The Son, sits front row at government events with no official role and his NGO network received $175M from Istanbul Municipality and €1.2M in EU grants since 2019.
open.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Fathers and Sons Turkish Edition, Vol. II: The Erdogans
Bilal Erdoğan, The Son, sits front row at government events with no official role and his NGO network received $175M from Istanbul Municipality and €1.2M in EU grants since 2019.
open.substack.com/pub/turkeylo...
Bilal Erdoğan, The Son, sits front row at government events with no official role and his NGO network received $175M from Istanbul Municipality and €1.2M in EU grants since 2019.
open.substack.com/pub/turkeylo...