Turkey - Istanbul: West-Eastern Diva (106/151)

Turkey - Istanbul: West-Eastern Diva (106/151)

A unique city of unparalleled diversity - these are the descriptions that first come to mind in connection with the Turkish Istanbul. The geographic location of this city on two continents is already unique. Istanbul is the bridge between Europe and Asia in more than one sense. The cultural and philosophical diversity, the rich history, the co-existence of tradition and future, of fairy-tale land and modernity - the metropolis on the Bosphorus has all this to offer. The film follows the course of a day which in the Muslim world corresponds to the Christian Sunday. In Turkey devout Muslims go to pray in the mosque on Fridays; at the same time life in the financial and economic centre follows its usual busy course. Beginning with the daily traffic gridlock in the early morning through to the end of the day in a restaurant at the Bosphorus. An estimated 15 million people now live in this teeming city. Apart from the traffic and the rampant construction works, waste disposal is a serious problem. The water supply, too, is also becoming an increasing problem: bottled water is sold on every corner for the tap water is undrinkable. The old city centre with its bazaars, baths, mosques and Ottoman houses is still the most picturesque district. Between the boats berthed at the Galata Bridge and the Suleymaniye Mosque lies an exotic world of its own. Life on the Asian side in the district of Beylerbeyl seems much quieter, almost village-like. Or on the Prince Islands. Cosmopolitan in contrast is Beyogle, the district of the Jews, Armenians, English and French.