Semra Eren-Nijhar

Semra Eren-Nijhar
Born	(1967-04-06) April 6, 1967 (age 57) Istanbul, Turkey
Occupation	Author sociologist poet documentary filmmaker social commentator
Language	English German Turkish
Website
erennijhar.com

Semra Eren-Nijhar (born April 6, 1967 in Istanbul) is a Turkish writer, sociologist, documentary filmmaker and a social commentator.[1][2]

Biography

Eren-Nijhar is an expert in the area of social policy across Europe and Turkey mostly focusing on issues of migration, memory, belonging, heritage, women, youth, race, identity, and the Turkish diaspora and Turkish Heritage in the EU.

She is the founder of the ‘Turkish Heritage in the UK’ initiative, co-founded with Councillor Ahmet Karahasan of the "Turkish Heritage Day in London" – launched on December 8, 2014, at Enfield Council.[3] She is also the founder of "Turkish Heritage in Europe" which was launched at the International Bosphorus Summit on November 29, 2019, in Istanbul.[4][5]

For more than fifteen years Eren-Nijhar researched the archives of the Cyprus Turkish Association CTA (first Turkish association in Britain) and is the first and only researcher[6] who introduced some selected documents, photos, and publications of the archives to the wider public.

Her work London Turks – In Their Own Words which chronicles the Turkish community over the last eighty years with photographs, interviews,[7] and portraits in the UK was the first major work on the Turkish diaspora in Britain and was exhibited and acknowledged by the Greater London Authority, Mayor of London in 2006 and later in 2007 at the European Parliament[8] acknowledged and hosted by MEP's Claude Moraes, Cem Özdemir, Emine Bozkurt and Vural Öger with the attendance of the Ambassador Volkan Bozkır, the Permanent Representative of Turkey to the European Union.

She is an expert on the twice Nobel Prize nominee Turkish Cypriot poet Osman Türkay and has enabled his work to come to life once again in Europe and in Turkey. Eren-Nijhar worked for several years in the House of Lords as an adviser to a peer, Lord Tarsem King, Baron King of West Bromwich. The documentary "Söz Bizde – We Have the Voice",[9][10][11] co-produced and directed with Ersin Atlı in 2010 was shown by Turkey's national broadcaster TRT and was the first documentary giving a voice to young people living in Britain and in Europe with Turkish and Kurdish background. Eren-Nijhar uses creative techniques from the world of arts by drawing in people's interest in her sociological research outcomes and findings. She has exhibited her photographic exhibitions in Britain, Belgium, and Turkey. Her work mainly focuses on portraits of individuals.[12][13][14]

Eren-Nijhar’s photographic exhibition “My Journey from Güvercinlik (Pigeon-loft)” was invited in 2017 to exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) during the marking of the British Turkish Cypriot community 100 years of migration to the United Kingdom.[15] It was the first major photographic exhibition held at the Victoria and Albert Museum featuring the Turkish Cypriot community in Britain.

Awards

• 2004 –Millennium Awards Fellowship, Lifetime Membership for her personal commitment and achievement enriching the community throughout the United Kingdom.[16]
• 2015 – International European Quality Award, Innovation and Awareness Award for her outstanding achievement in her work.[17][18]
• 2018 – Achievement Award for her outstanding achievement in her work.[19]
• 2024 – Recognition certificate from the President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar for her contribution to the work on Turkish Cypriot poet Osman Türkay.[20][21][22]

Books

• Evrenin Şairi Osman Türkay, Cyprus Turkish Association Publications, 2011[23][24]
• Avrupa’nın İlk Türk Derneği – Kıbrıs Türk Cemiyeti, Cyprus Turkish Association Publications, 2012[25]
• Kıpırtı Yazıları, Yar Publishing, 2013[26]
• Artık Gurbet Yok! (Mu?) I – There Is No More a Place far from Home! (Is There?), Ozan Publication, 2014[27][28]
• Turkish Heritage in the UK, SUNCUT Publishing, 2014[29]
• Londra’da Çok Kültürlülük – Yaşamdan Portreler, Ozan Publication, 2015[30]
• Artık Gurbet Yok! ( Mu?) II – Das Gefühl in der Fremde zu sein gibt es nicht mehr! (Oder?), Ozan Publication, 2016[31]
• Turks in London-The Unheard Voices, Ozan Publication, 2017[32]
• Kadınlardan Dünyayı Değiştiren Sözler, Ozan Publication, 2018[33]
• Londra mı Dediniz? Buyrun..., Ozan Publication, 2019[34]
• Osman Turkay[35][36]
• Anlat Patara – Tell Me Patara: Poetry, Ozan Publication, 2021[37][38]
• Tağı Bey, on the folk song ‘Hoş Gelişler Ola, Mustafa Kemal Paşa’ Ozan Publication, 2022[39][40]
• Millennium Poet Osman Türkay, Ozan Publication, 2023[41][42]
• Uzay’ın Şairi Osman Türkay, Ozan Publication, 2023.[43][44]

References

1. "Who is Semra Eren-Nijhar?". londonturkishheritageday.com. April 6, 2014. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
2. "Yazar Bilgileri" (in Turkish). ozanyayincilik.com. October 25, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
3. "Boris Johnson backs new London Turkish Heritage Day". www.t-vine.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
4. "Bogaziçi Zirvesi'nde "Avrupa'da Türklerin Politik, Ekonomik ve Tarihsel Mirası Çalışması" ele alındı". Londra Gazete. 2019-12-05. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
5. "14. Bogaziçi Zirvesi'nde "Avrupa'da Türklerin Politik, Ekonomik ve Tarihsel Mirası Çalışması"". Londra Aktuel. 2023-11-19.
6. "Kıbrıs Türk Cemiyeti, Avrupa' da Türkler tarafından kurulan ilk Türk derneğidir. Bunun en temel sebebi Türk Toplumunun İngiltere'ye Almanya 'dan daha önce yerleşmeye başlamış olmasıdır. Sosyolog Semra Eren-Nijhar bu tarihin 1945 lere dayandığını ilk gelenlerin Kıbrıslı Türkler olduğu bundan önceki gelişlere dair pek fazla bilgi bulunmadığını söyler ve bunun da Avrupa'ya Türk göçünün başlangıcı olduğunu ifade eder" (in Turkish). cemiyet.co.uk. January 14, 2014. Retrieved 2020-08-30.
7. "London Turks exhibited at City Hall". cyprus44.com. November 7, 2006. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
8. "Avrupa'da ilk defa" (in Turkish). starkibris.net. September 11, 2009. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
9. Mihrişah Safa (February 2, 2010). "Londra'daki Türk gençliğini konu alan " Söz Bizde"(We have the voice) adlı belgesel film, 9 Şubat'da SOAS Brunei Gallery'de yapılacak gala ile kamuya sunuluyor" (in Turkish). starkibris.net. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
10. "Turkish London Find out more about London's Turkish, Turkish-Cypriot and Kurdish community. And how Turkish culture and traditions are apparent in the capital but enjoyed by many Londoners". bbc.co.uk. August 8, 2008. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
11. "'Söz Bizde" We Have The Voice' belgesel filmi'nin gala gecesi 9 Şubat akşamı SOAS Üniversitesi'nin Brunei Gallery salonunda yapı ldı. Türkiye Londra Başkonsolosu Bahadır Kaleli ve Lord King of West Bromwich'in katılımı ile düzenlenen geceye ilginin yoğundu" (in Turkish). turkishtimes.co.uk. February 9, 2010. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
12. "London's Turkish heritage day planned". londragazete.com. December 6, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
13. "İNGİLTERE'DE BİR İLK: TÜRK MİRASI GÜNÜ" (in Turkish). starkibris.net. December 12, 2014. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
14. "Artık gurbet yok..!". Londra Gazete. 2014-04-02. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
15. "'I do like England, but my heart belongs to Cyprus': UK Turkish Cypriots mark centenary at V&A Museum". t-vine.com. December 15, 2017. Retrieved 2020-08-30.
16. "The Millennium Awards Fellowship Grants Programme". beta.charitycommission.gov.uk. August 25, 2004. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
17. "Turkish brands meet UK counterparts at 'quality in business' conference in London". t-vine.com. June 14, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
18. "Semra Eren-Nijhar'a ödül!". Milliyet (in Turkish). 2015-07-03. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
19. "Londra'da Cumhuri̇yet Coşkusu" (in Turkish). olaygazete.co.uk. October 26, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
20. "Semra Eren-Nijhar'ın kaleme aldığı "Uzay'ın Şairi Os". Kıbrıs Türk. 2024-02-17.
21. "Osman Türkay'la Mustafa Gençsoy 'ayrılmaz ikiliydiler'". Kıbrıs Gazetesi - Kıbrıs Haber, KKTC Son Dakika ve Gündem Haberleri (in Turkish). 2024-02-19. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
22. "Semra Eren-Nijhar'ın kaleme aldığı "Uzay'ın Şairi Osman Türkay" kitabı tanıtıldı". Kibrisdakik.com (in Turkish). 2024-02-17. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
23. "Most widely held works by Semra Eren-Nijhar". Retrieved August 15, 2020.
24. ""Evrenin Şairi Osman Türkay" 3.baskısını yaptı". www.starkibris.net (in Turkish). Retrieved 2024-11-15.
25. "Avrupa'nın İlk Türk Derneği – Kıbrıs Türk Cemiyeti". Retrieved August 15, 2020.
26. "Kıpırtı Yazıları". Retrieved August 15, 2020.
27. "Artık Gurbet Yok! (Mu?)". worldcat.org. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
28. "There Is No More a Place far from Home!". Retrieved August 15, 2020.
29. "Turkish Heritage in the UK". Retrieved August 15, 2020.
30. "Londra'da Çok Kültürlülük – Yaşamdan Portreler". Retrieved August 15, 2020.
31. "Artık Gurbet Yok! ( Mu?) II – Das Gefühl in der Fremde zu sein gibt es nicht mehr! (Oder?)" (in German). Retrieved August 15, 2020.
32. "Turks in London-The Unheard Voices". Retrieved August 15, 2020.
33. "Kadınlardan Dünyayı Değiştiren Sözler". Retrieved August 15, 2020.
34. "Londra mı Dediniz? Buyrun..." Retrieved August 15, 2020.
35. "Osman Turkay". Retrieved August 15, 2020.
36. "'UZAY ŞAİRİ' ÖLÜMÜNÜN 10. YILINDA LONDRA'DA ANILDI". Retrieved August 15, 2020.
37. O, Y. (2021-10-26). "Semra Eren-Nijhar published a new book". Londra Gazete. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
38. "Semra Eren-Nijhar'ın 'Anlat Patara' isimli şiir kitabı çıktı". Olay Gazete. 2021-10-25.
39. H, N. (2023-05-09). "Semra Eren-Nijhar'in kitabı İstanbul'da tanıtıldı". Londra Gazete. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
40. Nijhar, Semra Eren (2022-05-25). Tağı Bey (in Turkish). Ozan Yayıncılık. ISBN 978-625-7554-31-2.
41. "Dünden yarına, insana dair ne varsa..." www.ozanyayincilik.com (in Turkish). Retrieved 2024-11-15.
42. "Kıbrıslı şair Osman Türkay'ı anlatan iki kitap birden okuyucuyla buluştu". MyKibris.com. 2023-08-25.
43. O, Y. (2023-08-24). "Semra Eren-Nijhar'ın :'Uzay'ın şairi Osman Türkay' isimli kitabı yayınlandı". Londra Gazete. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
44. "Semra Eren-Nijhar pens two new books on Turkish Cypriot poet extraordinaire Osman Türkay". t-vine.com. 2023-08-27.

External links

Söz Bizde – We Have the Voice

• Söz Bizde – "We Have The Voice" Turkish Youth in London – Documentary by SEMRA EREN-NIJHAR Part 1 on YouTube
• Söz Bizde – "We Have The Voice" Turkish Youth in London – Documentary by Semra Eren-Nijhar Part 2 on YouTube
• Söz Bizde – "We Have The Voice" Turkish Youth in London – Documentary by Semra Eren-Nijhar Part 3 on YouTube
• Evrenin Sairi Osman Turkay on YouTube

Photographic exhibitions in Britain

• Exhibition about Turkish migrant women in London coming to Waltham Forest
• Semra Eren Nijhar'dan 'Artık Gurbet Yok' sergisi
• Semra Eren Nijhar’dan ‘Gurbet Yolculuğu’

Photographic exhibitions in Turkey

• Kaş'ta 'Beş Kadın Beş Sergi' Açıldı
• Beş kadın beş sergi Yeşilköy beldesinde düzenlenen 3. Köy Seyirlik Oyunları ve Köy Tiyatroları Buluşması çerçevesinde 5 kadın sanatçı sergi açtı.

Turkish Heritage in Europe

• Türkiye Cumhurbaşkanlığı himayelerinde 27–29 Kasım arasında organize edilen 10.Bogaziçi Zirvesi’nde bu yıl ilk defa ‘Turkish Heritage in Europe – Avrupa’da Türklerin Politik, Ekonomik ve Tarihsel Mirası’ konulu panel düzenlendi ve Avrupa’da yaşayan Türklerin tarihsel konumu ele alınarak, konu ilk defa uluslararsı platformda tartışılmış oldu.
• Semra Eren Nijhar; Avrupa’da Türklerin Tarihsel Mirası

London Turkish Heritage Day

• Kurduğu güçlü kadrosuyla Türk Ligi 1.Küme’nin en büyük favorisi Dumlupınar, sahasında konuk ettiği Doğan TB’yi 4-1 yenerek, rakibine ilk yenilgisini tattırırken, zirveden de indirdi.
• Boris Johnson backs new London Turkish Heritage Day
• London Turkish Heritage Day, Enfield
• ‘Biz Londralıyız’