Before I became an author I worked as a reporter for a number of newspapers. As a requirement of the job, I spent years keeping up with daily events. I’ve been writing non-stop since 1989, working in Moscow, Los Angeles, and Zurich. I’ve been living in Dubai for one year, now. News stories you write in a newspaper have a life-span of just one day, so I started compiling the most important stories I had pursued into books to make them more lasting. My first book, “Park Otel Olayı” (The Park Hotel Event), was published in 1992. I then wrote my second work, “Amerikan Medyasında 11 Eylül” (September 11 in the American Media), which sought to investigate how media companies dealt with the 9/11 attacks. It seemed that whilst we had indeed witnessed an event that changed the course of history, no-one seemed to wonder about the media’s approach to this big event.

In your last book, Darling Istanbul, we heard about Istanbul as experienced from 20 famous local residents. Your most recent book, Other Cities, meanwhile, deals with 20 other cities from the points of view of 20 of their most famous residents. Can you tell us why you opt for this type of narration?

The book prior to my latest release, “Sevgili İstanbul” (Dear Istanbul), was my attempt to pass down the old culture of the city and talk about what life used to be like here in former times. I interviewed 20 legendary figures about what came to mind with the word ‘Istanbul’ and made the book all about their memories. I learnt a lot of very important details about old Istanbul from these talks. For me, it is a work full of incredible memories. Many of those I spoke to are unfortunately no longer with us, but their memories live on in the pages of the book. Actually, you could consider “Başka Şehirler” (Other Cities) as a continuation, a sequel, to Darling Istanbul. In the latter, we journey through Istanbul with 20 people. In Other Cities we tour 20 more cities guided by 20 other people. Although the locations are different, what unites the two is a remembrance of important events from the past, some well-forgotten. Both books take the reader on a short journey through time. One is set in Istanbul, the other 20 different cities from around the world.

How did you choose which 20 cities you would cover and how did you choose who would best describe them?

What the cities have in common is that they have been inhabited by some astounding individuals. In some places, we chose the city based on the person. For others, we chose it based on the city itself. For instance, when it comes to writing on Paris, there are hundreds of people I can seek the inspiration of. Every one of them has left a permanent mark on the city, but I chose the photographer, Robery Doisneau – well actually, I didn’t choose him, I guess Paris did. The city of love made it into the book through the lens of this great photographer. When writing on Berlin, I sought human memories from the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall, so for that reason I picked Marlene Dietrich as a guide. For Los Angeles, where I lived for many years, I wanted to be inspired not from the perspective of a Hollywood star, but the city’s most famous writer. Of course, all these decisions were rather personal. Other people would narrate the stories of these cities from others’ perspectives and would come up with some interesting results. As my journey continues, I will keep on writing, narrating, and sharing.

I first and foremost see myself as someone on the search for knowledge. I used to be a reporter, and I used to get referred to as a journalist sometimes. Since my books, however, people have started calling me a writer. I’m a blogger too, thanks to my internet articles, but I’ve been a traveller for as long as I can remember. The journey started when I was young and would explore beyond the limits of the neighbourhood, and it has continued my whole life – in time taking me across the world. I would always head off in pursuit of what interested me. The cities and cultures I bear witness to broaden my horizons. As a result, the things I learn while travelling are reflected in my writing.

How do you reflect what you’ve seen and where you’ve travelled in what you write and say? What keeps you going on your journey as a writer?

There’s a classic old conundrum: Can one learn better through reading or travelling? A few years ago, I would have answered “both”, but now I realise the value of learning by seeing and observing. I think someone who travels more learns more – or at least learns the truth. However true a book may be, it still reflects someone else’s truth. If the truth is something we’ve seen with our eyes, then it changes everything.

How do you travel generally? Do you prefer to plan everything out or go with the flow?

I never set off anywhere without first making a detailed plan. In this endeavour, my wife Yelda is a big help, as she makes all the plans. She organises the tickets and books where we are going to stay, then we leave. Before we go, we have a list of what we are going to see, although we never stick to the plan. We see the beauty in those who set off without a plan. Sometimes in order to find something you have to lose your way, and travelling is the best time to put that rule of thumb into action.

Who is Remzi Gökdağ?

Remzi Gökdag studied at the Communications Faculty of Istanbul University before beginning his career as a reporter for Cumhuriyet newspaper in 1989. After 1996, he split from the newspaper to work for various other magazines and publications. Over his time as a reporter, Gökdag became an expert on Istanbul, in winning Çetin Emeç Journalism Award and the Contemporary Journalist Association’s Journalist of the Year award in 1993. Gökdag now lives in Dubai and is the author of The Park Hotel Event, September 11 in the American Media, Darling Istanbul, and Other Cities.

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