Campus Cafe!

You will find Turkish literature, news from Turkey, comments on art and culture at Campus Cafe. When you need a break from your Turkish studies, stop by Campus cafe with your tea or coffee and enjoy what we selected for you.

Turkish Literature

So many books were written about Rumi and his work. The best way to understand him is to read his own words. Here is one of his great poems.

Gone to the Unseen

At last you have departed and gone to the Unseen.
What marvelous route did you take from this world?

Beating your wings and feathers,
you broke free from this cage.
Rising up to the sky
you attained the world of the soul.
You were a prized falcon trapped by an Old Woman.
Then you heard the drummer's call
and flew beyond space and time.

As a lovesick nightingale, you flew among the owls.
Then came the scent of the rosegarden
and you flew off to meet the Rose.

The wine of this fleeting world
caused your head to ache.
Finally you joined the tavern of Eternity.
Like an arrow, you sped from the bow
and went straight for the bull's eye of bliss.

This phantom world gave you false signs
But you turned from the illusion
and journeyed to the land of truth.

You are now the Sun -
what need have you for a crown?
You have vanished from this world -
what need have you to tie your robe?

I've heard that you can barely see your soul.
But why look at all? -
yours is now the Soul of Souls!

O heart, what a wonderful bird you are.
Seeking divine heights,
Flapping your wings,
you smashed the pointed spears of your enemy.

The flowers flee from Autumn, but not you -
You are the fearless rose
that grows amidst the freezing wind.

Pouring down like the rain of heaven
you fell upon the rooftop of this world.
Then you ran in every direction
and escaped through the drain spout . . .

Now the words are over
and the pain they bring is gone.
Now you have gone to rest
in the arms of the Beloved.

"Rumi - In the Arms of the Beloved
", Jonathan Star
New York 1997

Bulletin Board

Turkey declared 2010 the year of Japan. During 2010, cultural activities such as concerts, exhibits, and traditional Japanese shadow theatre will be organized in Ankara and Istanbul in order to introduce Japanese culture to Turkish people.

Arts and Culture

LATEST BY DIRECTOR AKIN PREMIERES IN TURKEY
"Soul Kitchen," the latest offering from Turkish-German director Fatih Akin, premiered at Istanbul's Kanyon Movie Theater yesterday and will be in theaters across Turkey as of Friday. Akin, who has won international awards for the comedy, says he would like to try other genres as well. The film, featuring actors Adam Bousdoukos, Pheline Roggan, Anna Bederke and Birol Unel, was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the 2009 Venice Film Festival and the Art Cinema Award at the International Hamburg Festival. Speaking to reporters before the screening, Akin said "Soul Kitchen" is the story of a restaurant.
"Zinos, who is a third-generation Greek living in Germany, has to decide between going to China with his lover and saving his restaurant," he explained. "But he loses everything while trying to do everything." After Zinos' girlfriend Nadine moves to Shanghai, his customers boycott the new gourmet chef, and he's having back trouble.
Things start looking up when the hip crowd embraces his revamped culinary concept, but that doesn't mend Zinos' broken heart. He decides to fly to China for Nadine, leaving the restaurant in the hands of his unreliable ex-con brother.
/Hurriyet Daily News/

Turkish Campus Summer Language Program In Istanbul

Turkish Campus offers a unique opportunity to improve your Turkish. Turkish Summer Language Program will be offered during summer of 2010 in Istanbul's historic and natural atmosphere.
Join us while you discover the natural beauty of Istanbul along with its fascinating history. The former capital of three successive empires (Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman), Istanbul today is the meeting point of the past and present, modern and traditional, dreams and realities. Located on two continents, Europe and Asia, Istanbul lets its visitors delve into its mesmerizing atmosphere at their first steps. The museums, churches, palaces, mosques and bazaars on the one hand and the sights of natural beauty on the other waiting to be experienced and explored. Learn the language while exploring one of the most glorious cities in the word. Click here for more information!