Charlotte Schmitz

Image credit: From the series Balat, 2012-24 © Charlotte Schmitz

Once home to a Jewish community, the Istanbul neighborhood of Balat was later shared by Armenian, Greek, and Turkish neighbors. After the mid-20th century, Kurdish families, Roma communities, and many others settled here adding to the cultural variety.

With Balat, on view at Fotografiska Berlin from November 11, 2025, to January 19, 2026, as part of the Emerging Berlin talent program, photographer Charlotte Schmitz invites visitors to immerse themselves in the life of the historic neighborhood.

After she first traveled to Istanbul in 2012, she fell in love with Balat and soon found herself capturing its spirit through her camera. A brief encounter in a café would prove to be a turning point: A father who had once worked in Berlin as a guest laborer showed Schmitz photos of his daughters and invited her to his home. She and the family felt an instant connection.

Six months later, she returned, carrying printed photographs in her bag. It marked the beginning of a long-term project and of many friendships that would become central to her work that, rather than documenting loss or gentrification, celebrates the enduring spirit of community.