Cracked Green Olive, Walnut and Pomegranate Relish

This classic recipe from Paula Wolfert, who picked it up from her friend, the Turkish food journalist Ayfer Unsal, is a versatile relish that can be spooned alongside

Bulgur

The main ingredient of bulgur is wheat, which is abundantly raised in Anatolia.  The history of bulgur dates back some 12,000 years in the fields of Mesopotamia.  Wheat is found in the temples of Göbeklitepe in Urfa, which lies in the northern part of Mesopotamia. We should always remember that a certain dish or its ingredients do not belong to a particular nation or ethnic group.  Instead they belong to their natural geographical surrounding.  Therefore, bulgur is a product of Mesopotamia.

Karakancoloz and Halloween

On October 31^st, the Celts used to celebrate the end of harvest and the beginning of winter, although all the preparations for winter had already been made.  This tradition comes from Roman times and Roman mythology, referring to Pomona, the goddess of fruits and seeds. All Hallows' Eve falls on 31st October each year, and is the day before All Hallows' Day, also known as All Saints' Day in the Christian calendar. The Church traditionally held a vigil on All Hallows' Eve when worshippers would prepare themselves with prayers and fasting prior to the feast day itself.  In pre-Christian times, many people believed that spirits from the underworld and ghosts of dead people could visit the world of the living on this night.  These spirits could harm the living or take them back to the

Jibintsi Satenik Kirkiryan

October 10, 2012

In 1988, Armen Aroyan and a friend of his came to Aintab to get to know the city and to possibly establish a dialog. Before coming he wrote to tell me that he could only stay four days and I made a program accordingly.

Gülenya

October 3, 2012 

Our flea is getting married 

He has no money and will borrow  

While the mosquito plays the saz 

The bedbug will do a dance. 

What a Coincidence!

As you know the houses that are next to Hasan Süzer Museum (formerly the house of Garuj Efendi Karamanukian, a very wealthy businessman) were restored and one of them became the Toy Museum.  Last October 2012, I had the opportunity to visit the area with Armen Aroyan and I really appreciated that fact that the area was being renovated.  In May 2013, Armen Aroyan brought another group to Gaziantep and took them to the Toy Museum.  He knew that the mansion housing the Toy Museum had belonged to the Jebejian family before 1915.  He sought out the director of the museum and told him that the grandfather of Alidz Agbabian (an author of children’s books) was born in this house.  Armen asked, “ If I bring her books, would you put them in the exhibition?”  He said he would be very happy to and I agreed to make arrangements to have them delivered there.

Lucille

          

I met Lucille Hamparian through Armen Aroyan. She is teacher of Armenian descent whose roots go deep in Kharpert. She came to Turkey three times with Armen’s tour groups and she liked our country a lot. But on her last visit visit, for reasons beyond her control, she was very disappointed and unhappy. Lucille lives in Canada and although she is retired she still substitute teaches in her previous school. My wish is to bring her once again to Turkey and have her leave with positive memories.