Merian - Istanbul – Neumann-Adrian Michael (2016)

Anyone arriving in Istanbul is certainly prepared for oriental exoticism and the grand monuments of the past. But this Turkish metropolis on the Bosporus is also a bustling modern city, albeit a contradictory one. The city's contradictions stem primarily from the fact that one part lies on the European mainland, while the other fully belongs to the Islamic East. While you won't encounter a woman in the Fatih district who isn't veiled, or a man without a turban rushing to the mosque for prayer, the youth are drawn to the brightly neon-lit shopping centers on the outskirts of the metropolis, featuring Western brand clothing. Here, they gather, listen to modern music from their Walkmans, and hold rap 'sessions' in outdoor parking lots. It is said that even the dust in Istanbul is golden, so it's no wonder that the population is rapidly increasing – more and more people are coming to the metropolis from rural areas, hoping to find not only work but also prosperity. No one really knows if there are 10 or already 12 million inhabitants here... The reality in this city is characterized by sharply defined contrasts of wealth and poverty: you will find a colorful and admirably mixed blend of luxury restaurants, noisy buffets, and quiet courtyards behind peeling walls...