In the framework of our editorial mission Orient Express Reporter, cafebabel.com is sending 34 young journalists, photographers, photojournalists or videomakers 'on the ground' to discover the Balkans and Turkey. Eight feature reports in eight cities to meet our young counterparts and find stories from the Balkans which should not be lost on a European public

Religious fever in Istanbul: between football and Armenians

It's cold at the end of April in Istanbul, but these are days of celebration, and its not just to do with the strong national pride for football. The 23rd celebrates the modern republic's first national assembly and is dedicated to children, the future of the country. The 24th is easter for the catholics, protestants and orthodox, but also for the Turkish Armenians (and Turks) who silently protest for the 'genocide' that took place on the same day of their intellectuals during the ottoman era in 1915. These are also days of protest, between the Kurdish minority and the students who fight for their respective rights. Tourists invade the city which was once Constantinople, a paradise for young people and an eldorado for those who 'came back' from their immigration to Europe. Read the articles from our French-Italian-Serbian-Albanian team who report from Turkey in the framework of our special edition, Orient Express Reporter

FEATURE

Easter in Istanbul with Turks and Turkish Armenians

When Turkish Armenian soldier Sevak Shahin Balikci was accidentally shot dead by an army colleague on 24 April, both Turks and Armenians came together to pay their respects. 24 April also marks the fact that easter coincides with the commemorations for the Ottoman-era genocides of Turkey's Armenian minority for the first time. There are positive signs that relations may be improving in Istanbul, especially since assassinated Turkish Armenian journalist Hrant Dink's killer was sentenced on 25 July

by Nicola Accardo @ // 28/07/11

hrant dink, mustafa kemal atatürk, human rights, society, stamboul, politics, armenian genocide

FEATURE

Being a Beşiktaş football supporter in Istanbul

There are three big football teams in Istanbul: the aristocratic Galatasaray, the Asian Fenerbahçe and the self-proclaimed ‘people’s team (‘halk takim’), Beşiktaş. The fans of the latter are known to be politically active. The Beşiktaşli, as they are called, stand up for social progress and football integrity

by Tania Gisselbrecht @ // 27/07/11

football, civil society, istanbul, society, sport

FEATURE

Meeting 4 of 500, 000 'Almanci' German Turks who returned 'home' over last 30 years

After growing up in Germany these men have chosen to turn their backs on their native country to return to their homeland, Turkey. In Istanbul the 'Almanci' as they are called - with slightly negative connotations - are Hasan, Cengiz, Hazar and Cigdem. They tell us the story of their return to the banks of the Istanbul Strait

by Sebastien Vannier @ // 08/06/11

istanbul, immigration, society, orient express

FEATURE

An Albanian in Istanbul on children’s day

Whilst hundreds of Turkish students protest against internet censorship, fight for more resources for public universities and sign petitions for history books telling the truth about the Ottoman empire that the country was once part of, an annual children’s festival takes place. Created by the modern secular nation’s founder Ataturk in 1920 to celebrate the first national assembly of Ankara, games and dance celebarte the ‘father of the country’

by cafebabel.com @ , Blerina Kushta @ // 05/06/11

mustafa kemal atatürk, istanbul, children, nationalism, politics, orient express