The moments when you discover the real treasures, long forgotten and covered with dust. And all they have been waiting for is to be found. The beginning is from a more recent time with the German Trio ELF and their album “Amsterdam”, recorded live in 2013 at the iconic Bimhuis, issued by Enja.

Belgrade will be home to the incredible Snarky Puppy on 23rd of June, that go eaven further east after Ljubljana.  And on June 5th, in Skopje, the magicians of Fatoumata Diawara can be seen live at this year’s Off Fest. 

And, of course, spring is patience. Spring is watching the world change every day, and feel joy if you’re a part of that cycle of change. There is no other time when you’re anxious and in a rush, but still have to wait it out in order for the change to come.

All people that grew up in a multi-cultural environment have a very special way of seeing the world, but also a very broad inner world. A world that has gone through many transformations until it found its true face. 

The Dodecanese are not on touristy routs – they are for real travellers. They are not the shiny Cyclades or the chilly and beautiful Ionian islands. There’s no all-inclusive, and the sea is covered in boats. Sailing season practically has no end, but to see a sea full of boats come spring is magical. While it’s still fresh and summer hasn’t reached us yet, you can’t describe it. 

Today we split the story in two – the physical and the spiritual Istanbul.  The physical Istanbul – there are few places in the world that have awakened such endless joy as the queen. Seen on a winter’s day, covered in snow, and on a July day, sizzling hot under the heat. In April, covered in tulips or on a warm November. Always carrying the same poetry and the souls of the millions that have gone through there.