A Creative Lingua Franca Culture Groups In Istanbul

As a metropolis of more than 15 million, Istanbul is a hub where cultures from around the world intersect. There are groups in the city that promote the sharing of culture, and like the city itself, show participants how people are more similar than different. With a bit of curiosity and open-mindedness, it is easy to join them.

- Minji Lee

Brazilian dance, Georgian art, and Korean language are three of many groups in Istanbul that share an interest in an aspect of a country’s culture and build a community around it. The energy and passion each of these groups deliver through their workshops, concerts, and weekly meetings contribute to intercultural learning and exchange.

DANCE LIKE A BRAZILIAN

Forró (pronounced faw-haw) is a Brazilian dance that originated in the northeastern heartland of Brazil. It has since spread to cosmopolitan districts around the world and has now found a home in Istanbul. Bengü Gün, the coordinator of Forró Istanbul, fell in love with the spirit of the dance when she visited the Bahía region of Brazil and sought to bring it back home. “Forró makes you feel good, physically and psychologically,” she told The Guide Istanbul. “Even if you don’t understand Portuguese, the lyrics are light and happy. At Forró Istanbul, we want to share this joy with other people.”