Hüzün

(http://vaktihuzur.wordpress.com/2010/02/11/huzun-guzeldir/)
no copyright infringement intended

Hüzün güzeldir.
Hüzün biraz isyandır, biraz rıza.
Hüzün zordur.
Hüzün güçlüdür.
Hüzün sızıdır. İnce, keskin, sivri.

(http://www.okazii.ro/recomandate/31058769/v-cocetov-neamul-jurbinilor.html)

Sadness is beautiful

Sadness is a little rebellion, a little pleasure.

Sadness is difficult.

Sadness is strong.

Sadness is yours. Thin, sharp, pointed to none.

Hüzün is a magical word, and when it comes to Istanbul, it suggests the old Bosporus ferries moored to deserted stations in the middle of winter, as Pamuk says in his Istanbul: Memories and the City.

Joshua Hammer had the privilege to walk one evening throughout Istanbul guided by Pamuk, beyond the tourist sights, observing a place of epic history and deep personal associations. It was a marvelous experience and I found its narrative in today's NY Times. It is worth reading, a great description.

What would be, beyond the tourist sight, the most interesting spot in Istanbul? Each Istanbulite should have its own choice, based on her or his deep personal associations. For Orhan Pamuk, it is Sahaflar Çarşisi, the used-book bazaar that has been a magnet for literary types since the Byzantine era (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/02/travel/orhan-pamuks-istanbul.html).

leafing through a book at Sahaflar Çarşisi
photo: Ayman Oghanna for NY Times
no copyright infringement intended

(Pamuk)