Our man in Istanbul

In his new book "Nice to meet you, Istanbul!", Erol Sander presents the highlights of his native city. Claudia Bette-Wenngatz spoke to the star actor about the fascination of his old home.

You moved from Istanbul to Munich when you were 5 years old. What childhood
memories do you still have of your hometown?
As you know, what you experience up to the age of 5 doesn't stay in your head as a clear memory later on. I have snapshots in my mind's eye. For example, a moment with my mother in a fabulous pastry shop called Inci (which I also write about in the book). The smells as you walk through the streets always take me back to my childhood. These are impressions that stay with you.

You then saw the city again professionally as a filming location for your series "Mordkommission Istanbul". How often were you there and what did you always look forward to most?
I was there for two to three months at a time for Homicide for over 14 years. That was a wonderful time, during which I grew very fond of Istanbul. I always looked forward to seeing all my colleagues and to the varied filming locations in the city. Rediscovering Istanbul every day in this way - and while doing the job you love - is a special privilege.

Where did you often live and feel at home during filming?
I always stayed in different hotels. One of them was the InterContinental. From there you have an incredible 270-degree view of the city.

Are you a shopper? And if so, what are your top 3 shopping tips?
No, to be honest, I don't like shopping unless I can make my family and friends happy. But if you like shopping, Istanbul is the ideal city for it. Top 3 shopping tips are difficult to say. There is simply everything and everywhere, whether huge malls, markets or small, cozy boutiques in the artistic districts. There is something for everyone.

Where do you feel the Orient and Occident meet the most in Istanbul?
On the Istiklal. There is a church on a single, large street,
mosques, a university and a wide variety of stores. The different influences are very clear there.

Which Istanbul would you like to show your family, i.e. your older children and your partner Rebecca, one day?
Preferably the mystical, romantic Istanbul a little off the beaten track. The beautiful artists' quarters and, of course, the Bosphorus, whether on a boat or on one of the many promenades.

Do you often get recognized on the street in Istanbul?
As the "Istanbul Murder Squad" has been running all over Europe, I'm not recognized by locals in Istanbul, but by many tourists from Germany, Austria, Italy, France and other countries.

You write that you associate Istanbul with the scent of your life. What do you mean by that?
The scent of the many different spices, the culinary delicacies in general and the sea have remained in my emotional memory from my childhood. It always comes back to me as soon as I walk through the streets there.


What moment in Istanbul is indelibly etched in your memory?
There is a special moment from my childhood when I told my father, who was a basketball
basketball player on the national team, at a game. Because I was so small,
it's just a blurred but still very impressive memory. Apart from that, there was a wonderful sunset moment after we had finished filming an episode of "Homicide", in which I simply stood on the banks of the Bosphorus and felt deep gratitude for this moment and everything I was allowed/allowed to experience.

Which place triggers the most feelings of happiness?
I love the stone promenade between Harem and Üsküdar. It's wonderful to enjoy the sunset in the evening on the stones warmed up by the sun.


Travel guide
"Nice to meet you, Istanbul! On a discovery tour into the heart of the city" by Erol Sander is published by Polyglott.
www.graefe-und-unzer.de