Eskişehir, Türkiye Thursday 13 February 2025 A hand, trembling, rests upon the worn leather of a Bible. A voice, heavy with authority, asks: “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?“ A moment of hesitation. A flicker of doubt. The weight of the words… Continue reading Truth on trial
Category: freedom
Battle scars
Eskişehir, Türkiye Wednesday 12 February 2025 We tell ourselves war ends when the treaties are signed, when the guns fall silent. But for those who bear its scars, war is never truly over. The fight continues — not on the battlefield, but in the struggle to heal, to be seen, to be whole again. And… Continue reading Battle scars
Home?
Tuesday 11 February 2025 Eskişehir / Ankara, Türkiye The day begins in the embrace of motion — a train bound for Ankara, a city that has become familiar yet remains distant from the rhythms of my daily life. The capital of modern Türkiye has many roles to play. It is the conflicts between these roles… Continue reading Home?
The fog of battle: Town vs. gown
Monday 10 February 2025 Eskişehir, Türkiye The streets of Oxford ran red on 10 February 1355, in what became known as the St. Scholastica Day riot. A quarrel over ale — at least, that is how the story begins. Two university students, unsatisfied with their drinks, threw words like daggers at a tavern keeper. Words… Continue reading The fog of battle: Town vs. gown
The Academy of Joy
Thursday 6 February 2025 Eskişehir, Türkiye The former head teacher, dismissed and disillusioned, lay in his restless bed, his limbs heavy with exhaustion, his thoughts a storm of injustice and regret. Losing your job can be a hideous blow, both to the pocket and to the ego. The best way to deal with it is… Continue reading The Academy of Joy
Ripples in Time
Monday 3 February 2025 Eskişehir, Türkiye What makes a life worth remembering? A long, long time ago (“American Pie” was written in 1971 and the time McLean is going to talk about is the 1950’s. This seemslike a long time ago ’cause of all the turmoil that occurred in the 60’s.)I can still remember how… Continue reading Ripples in Time
The dream deferred
Saturday 1 February 2025 Eskişehir, Türkiye February 1 is a day where the echoes of past struggles ring through history, where freedom found often stands on the precipice of being lost. It is a day of amendments and uprisings, of poets and revolutionaries, of movements born and battles still being fought. On this day in… Continue reading The dream deferred