Beyazit, biennales and bikes

Chapter 1

Istanbul: Beyazit State Library

Founded in the 1880s, the Beyazit State Library was the cornerstone of an area that has defined Istanbul’s literary life for decades. We discover how a recent renovation of the library has sought to deliver the area of Beyazit back to its high-minded heyday.

Chapter 2

‘Mezzing in Lebanon’

As part of the London Design Biennale more than 30 countries have brought design installations and exhibitions to the UK capital. We visit the Lebanese Pavilion, which has recreated the bustling streets of Beirut at Somerset House.

Chapter 3

Moscow’s disappearing architecture

Moscow is hard to imagine without its ubiquitous kiosks, which sell everything from junk food to real estate, but now it seems their number may be up as city hall clamps down on what it says are illegally built structures.

Chapter 4

Eurobike 2016

Friedrichshafen, a small town on the shores of Lake Constance in southern Germany, becomes the centre of the universe for a few days each summer for the world of cycling when it hosts Eurobike, Europe’s biggest bicycle trade show.