Kenan Poleo, with Turkish Cypriot roots, was appointed Britain's new Consul General in Istanbul just three months ago, calling the Turkish metropolis of Istanbul his "city of dreams". Pole, originally from a Turkish Cypriot family, studied Eastern Mediterranean History at the University of Birmingham and pursued a Master's degree in Turkish Studies at the University of London (SOAS).
"My parents were very young when they came to London. Life was difficult in England at that time. "There was also racism," he said, describing how his family immigrated from Cyprus in the 1950s.
"Cypriot, Turkish families, families from Africa started coming. "For me, London and Istanbul are like a mosaic because where I grew up in London, there are people from all over the world."
Speaking of his childhood, Poleo noted that while working in his father's shops as a child, he acquired "diplomatic talent" as he often spoke to customers.
He also noted, according to Yeni Safak, that "his family tried to preserve the Turkish Cypriot culture and that from time to time they went to Cyprus, saying that they have a mixed British, Turkish and Turkish Cypriot culture."
Poleo said that he first came to Istanbul at the age of 18 and that his "head exploded" due to the crowd and noise in the city.
"My head exploded because Cyprus was so small. "It's very big and full of people when we came here," he said.
"People were hospitable, like Cyprus, but here it is very different from there.
"I liked it so much. "So I did my second education in Turkish studies", he added.
He emphasized that he had been interested in Turkish cinema and music since a young age, adding that "our culture in London was Turkish culture".
Giving examples of Turkish artists and actors he loved at the time, Poleo said he loved not only movies or movie stars but also Turkish music.
"We supported Turkish artists at Eurovision. We really liked the song of (famous Turkish singer) Ajda Pekkan Petrol. We listened to it and played it in our house ".
"Ajda Pekkan was like a star. The song was very beautiful, but it was the 15th in the competition.
"I was 10 years old at the time and I realized there was discrimination," he said.
"Music, art and literature came from Turkey. I read the book of (famous Turkish author) Yakup Kadri Karaosmanoglu Yaban with a dictionary in one year. That's why we are so close to this culture. "
"Istanbul was the destination of my dreams"
Following his appointments in Slovenia and Germany, Poleo said he chose Istanbul, noting that "it was the destination of my dreams".
"I had to stay in Berlin for another two years, but I came here, like a dream. I am very lucky. This dream continues. It is a colorful dream. "I really like this project," he said.
"I talk to people every day. I learn new things. People are entrepreneurial, innovative. "They communicate very well," he added.
"It's like my neighborhood here, I'm very comfortable in Istanbul. Unfortunately, I can only stay four years. I do not want to leave".
He said he was constantly thinking about what he was doing after leaving the city.
Stating that the German capital, which was his previous mission, looks like a "village" compared to Istanbul, Poleo said London looks more like Istanbul in terms of mobility.
He said he loves the energy of big cities.
"There is another view everywhere, in every corner. "It's an incredibly beautiful city," he said.
"I really like the historical and cultural diversity here and the architecture is very beautiful in Turkey. "Both Istanbul and Turkey are like living museums."
Comparing Turkish cuisine with cuisine in occupied northern Cyprus, he also pointed out which Turkish meals he enjoys the most.
Poleo noted that he did not have many countries to travel across the country due to the pandemic COVID-19, emphasizing that it will operate the province of Izmir, the provinces of Adana and Mersina, the province of Gaziantep and the province of Trabzon at the first opportunity.
He added that in addition to exploring Turkey, he really wants to improve bilateral relations between the two countries.