A bust of Fıstık Ahmet was erected

Istanbul's Princes' Islands district, with its culture, traditions, and multi-religious, multi-lingual ethnic makeup, creates a sense of "having traveled abroad without a passport" in its visitors. So much is written and shared on social media about the islands that on weekends, the islands can reach their limit. In response, the islands' permanent residents offer a nostalgic assessment:

-The islands are so ruined!

They may be right from their perspective, but the islands also have enduring values. Among these, Büyükadalı Ahmet Tanrıverdi, aka Fıstık Ahmet, stands out. Turning 80 in 2025, the island-born author continues on the same path as he did in his childhood and youth. As the saying goes, "a person is the same at seven as they are at seventy," and Fıstık Ahmet has raised that bar by ten years.

Ahmet Tanrıverdi was born on Büyükada . He spent his childhood and youth among the Greek, Armenian, Jewish, and Italian youth of the islands. Multiculturalism is his foundation. He shares many humorous memories with one of his closest friends, the famous singer Fedon. Fıstık Ahmet, who recently gifted Prinkipo (the former name of Büyükada), a popular spot on Büyükada, to Istanbulites, invited all his friends to the opening ceremony. Fedon, as a favor to his close friend, took the stage and sang his beautiful songs. Naturally, the audience didn't let Fedon go. They continued singing one more song until midnight. A reaction completely unbecoming of the island's culture came from the upstairs of the house next door:

-Enough, you've turned this place into Greece!

Ahmet calms his neighbors with his distinctive six-okka greeting. Then, to those who look at him with curious eyes, he introduces the author of the nationalist reaction:

-The person who reacts to Greek songs is an Armenian from the island! We quarrel sometimes, but we love each other.

Ahmet Tanrıverdi has written numerous books about the islands and their inhabitants, starting with his first book, "The Shop That Sells Time." He didn't limit his work to Büyükada; he traveled to Athens to track down old friends. He continues his research and writing. Ahmet Tanrıverdi's establishment, rather than a restaurant/tavern, has the characteristics of an academy, where studies in many different disciplines are held. The name itself gives a clue:

-My destination is Pistachio Ahmet!

You can always see journalists, writers, poets, theater artists, filmmakers, painters, politicians and diplomats in Prinkipo's garden.

One of Ahmet Tanrıverdi's distinguished friends (who wishes to remain anonymous) surprised him by commissioning a bust from Çağdaş Erçelik, who will now be known as the sculptor of the Princes' Islands. Last weekend (August 3, 2025), when the artist entered Prinkipo with his work, everyone at the table stood up, including Ahmet. The package was carefully opened. Inside, inside was the living legend of Büyükada, accompanied by his glass and book:

-A bust of Pistachio Ahmet!