As the night unfolds at Sanat Teras Beyoğlu, the air is filled with an electric buzz of excitement as Yabangee – a community organization bridging gap between locals and expatriates—hosted a Halloween-themed trivia night that transcended borders and brought people from diverse nationalities together.
The atmosphere is alive with the sounds of laughter and animated chatter as people from different walks of life come together to test their knowledge and enjoy a night of friendly competition.
People started gathering in groups, some by themselves and some wearing Halloween costumes. Teams were formed in a group of 6.
As the event commenced, the charismatic host Tarik Yassien, donned in a creative wizard costume, took center stage with a microphone in hand, he introduced the rules of the game, weaving in playful references to the Halloween spirit.
The show started with asking the question to honor late Mathew Perry “which role did Matthew Perry played in a famous sitcom FRIENDS?”
All the participants dove into the concentration writing their answers.
The trivia questions, carefully curated to fit the Halloween theme, led participants on a journey through haunted history, spine-chilling movie trivia and even some pop culture questions.
The trivia night was a huge success, as many people showed up it was a house full event. The audience roared with glass clinking when the winning team was announced.
“I advise newcomer foreigners to make Turkish friends who can help them settle in the country.” Tarik Yassien, 35, the founder of Yabangee – who relocated from the States to Istanbul with the intention of rekindling ties to his Turkish roots – advises the newcomers to not hesitate and make local friends.
Tarik discussed his journey as to why founded the organization – “Events happening in Istanbul were either unorganized or too fancy.”
Tarik narrates his journey when he first came back to Istanbul he initially struggled to find events that provided the comfort he sought. With the support of friends, he came up with the idea of founding Yabangee, aiming to foster interactions and friendships among people who, like him, were seeking a sense of home away from home. Yabangee not only offers advice and solutions for foreigners but also acts as a platform for connecting people globally.
Despite the challenges posed by the current economic crisis and a surge in anti-immigrant rhetoric, Tarik, with a determined spirit, navigates through the difficulties. He shares the burden of moderating hate comments under posts, “I have to delete numerous hate comments under the posts, it gets mentally draining at times”. The ever-changing laws for residence permits also pose an additional hurdle, making it increasingly challenging for individuals to live in Turkey. Tarik mentions Istanbul’s decline in tourists and expat numbers since 2017. Nevertheless, these challenges did not stop Yabangee from its mission of connecting people worldwide. The platform has even played the role of matchmaker, Tarik fondly recalls moments where couples, having first met at Yabangee events, requested his assistance in organizing proposals—a heartening testament to the lasting connections and positive impact of Yabangee gatherings.
“Don’t be afraid to come alone.” Momina Hussain, a 22-year-old student at Nisantasi University in Istanbul, hailing from Pakistan, shared her experience of Yabangee events, emphasizing their pivotal role in breaking the ice in a foreign land. Momina highlighted the joy of meeting people from different nationalities, portraying Yabangee events as a source of support that transformed Istanbul into a welcoming home.
Selin Deniz, a 32, an English teacher from Turkey, mentioned that she initially joined Yabangee’s events to practice English but now it’s gathering where unexpected friendships blossom and memories are made.
It is in this shared struggle against the pangs of isolation that Yabangee events become more than mere social gatherings—they become lifelines. It’s not merely about the trivia or the festivities; it’s about the shared human experience of navigating life in a foreign land.
In the laughter that echoes through the venue and the friendships forged in the crucible of cultural exchange, Yabangee stands as evidence to the profound truth that, in the face of loneliness, unity becomes not just a choice but a journey of heartfelt connection.
“Isn’t this odd that despite being from different places it seems like deep inside we are all the same? ” I told my team members with whom I just celebrated the victory of winning the trivia quiz. After a thoughtful silence, Selin said “It is a place that breaks stereotypes and unites individuals from various nationalities under one umbrella: friendship.”
By Isra Mubarak