Being 16 in this generation, there are so many issues
that we all need to come together and solve
and it’s not just like a generation/generation thing.
Istanbul has a lot of street animals,
all of them just want love and care.
If you approach them and pet them, you bond instantly.
I know all the street animals in my neighbourhood.
It's important to be politically active,
but I’m not that interested in Turkish politics
because the same government has been in power for the last 20 years.
That’s why I am interested in other countries’ politics.
They are more democratic and you can actually change things.
Things are so different from when my parents were 16,
they couldn’t make their voices heard,
but our generation is different.
You can make people listen to you
and you can make a difference with your opinions.
I want to study computers.
I write code to develop my skills.
I like playing basketball with my friends.
What I like most about playing basketball is the competitive side.
I like competing.
I do everything to win at basketball.
Sinan is my boyfriend.
That’s why we spend so much time together.
Having a boyfriend at 16 is like growing up together.
Fortune telling using Turkish coffee is really famous here.
Whenever you drink Turkish coffee,
someone will tell your fortune.
You drink the coffee and the grounds are left at the bottom.
Then you put the saucer on top of the cup, turn it upside down,
the fortuneteller reads the patterns, and comments on them.
I don’t really believe in it, but I have seen some things come true.
Istanbul is becoming more Western than Middle Eastern,
which has both good and bad effects.
The worst impact is on our language.
I think we should protect our language.
My name is Selenay and this is Rifki.
There are so many thoughts in my head that can’t be put into words.
I need to express them in a visual way.
My name is Tuca and I live on the Asian side of Istanbul, in Kadikoy.
I think the European side is more developed.
I feel lost when I go there.
A couple of months ago I started powerlifting.
I'm the best at the benchpress category.
Last month, I won the Turkish Championship.
When I got my piercings,
everyone judged me,
but I learned not to care about what other people think.
I do kickboxing to express myself.
I think in Istanbul, whether or not it’s common to wear
the headscarf, it just depends on the area.
I think from our generation, there isn’t much judgement.
I don’t really have a deep, solid reason about why
I chose to wear the headscarf, I was like, “Let me just wear it.”
I downloaded TikTok one and a half months ago.
I do my videos in English,
because I want to reach more people.
I don’t just want to be TikTok famous, I will be.
Living in Istanbul is full of surprises.
I started doing ballet when I was 5,
it's always been my greatest passion.
When I dance, I feel free, natural and it's an escape from daily life.
I am learning Russian because I want to dance professionally,
and Russians are the best dancers.
I have a really packed schedule,
but I don’t care because I’m doing what I love.
I believe in Ekrem Imamoğlu, the new mayor of Istanbul,
because he gave us hope.
As a student, the best thing that he did for us was Akbil, Istanbul's travel card.
Before Ekrem Imamoğlu, they were expensive to buy monthy,
but he reduced the price because he cares about students.
Music is so relaxing for me.
I have taken a couple of lessons, but generally I’m self-taught.
I think the music scene in Istanbul is really varied,
so everybody can find something they like.