Joy and friendship, work, and leisure are linked to the opportunities offered by Istanbul's various neighborhoods. But the sense of belonging is not only a matter of the individual. Collective experiences and affirmations play a unifying role. 

Sunni Muslims profess their faith publicly through prayers, dress codes or the feasts of fasting and sacrifice.

The conquest of Anatolia by the Turkish Seljuks and the fall of Constantinople are commemorated with continuous re-enactments. The Turkish victory in the War of Independence against Greece is celebrated with a sea of flags, fireworks, and a tribute to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.