CIVIL ENTERPRISE & LEADERSHIP

One of the most effective works of the civic platform had the goal of restoring to Eminönü its old reputation, even if symbolic, as one of the city’s most respected neighborhoods as it had been at the beginning of the 20th century. For the event, the old shopkeepers were identified as well as what they wore. With costumes they found, a row of people representing the old Eminönü shop owners, entered the rear gate of the historic Egyptian bazaar. With alot of pageantry and fanfare, they continued walking on to Eminönü Square. At the head of the procession were the mayors of Eminönü and Istanbul. Later, even though the custom of carrying signage wasn’t common in the past, the group proceeded to open a giant sign made of silk and tassels, materials commonly used on old banners and flags, that read “We want to restore the honor of Eminönü.”