FROM ISTANBUL COFFEEHOUSES TO CULTURAL CENTERS: PLACES FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE MINSTREL TRADITION

The tradition of minstrel poetry (âşıklık) holds a prominent place within the rich cultural heritage of Anatolia, serving as a vital medium for shaping both social memory and cultural identity. Historically rooted in rural areas, this oral tradition provided a platform for the expression of communal emotions, ideas, and societal issues. Over time, âşıklık has adapted to changing social and spatial contexts, moving from rural settings to urban environments where it has found new expressions in public venues such as coffeehouses and more institutionalized spaces like cultural centers. In recent years, the advent of digitalization has introduced a novel dimension to this tradition, allowing it to establish a unique presence on virtual platforms, including social media and online communities. 

This study aims to explore how the âşıklık tradition is represented across evolving spatial contexts, examining its transformations in form and content while analyzing its resonance within the network society. The effects of social mobility, technological advancements, and shifting cultural dynamics on the tradition are investigated using the netnographic method. While preserving its traditional elements rooted in the past, the âşıklık tradition has embraced the opportunities offered by digital culture, thus undergoing a process of redefinition and reinterpretation. From coffeehouses to cultural centers and eventually to digital platforms, this transformation illustrates the dynamic interplay between the traditional and the modern. The findings provide a comprehensive understanding of how the âşıklık tradition has evolved in response to changing societal and technological landscapes, shedding light on its significance in contemporary cultural discourse and its potential future trajectories.

Keywords

Ashik Tradition, Spatial Transformation, Cultural Centres, Digital Culture