About Us
What do you visualise in your mind when you think of the Mediterranean? To us it is all about wandering through aromatic lemon and fig trees, catching fresh fish every week, crystal clear waters, greenery, sunlight, peaceful summer evenings, family tables, pure fresh olive oil, and the simplest things in life… keeping them at the center of life and making life delicious every single day. Can you smell it? Can you dream of sunlight on the Mediterranean Sea’s surface? Can you hear the sound of crickets?
The Mediterranean is a sea, basin and geography that has hosted great civilisations in history. The Mediterranean is an area where many civilisations existed, established relationships or collided at the same time in some periods of history. The Mediterranean is far beyond its own physical appearance, not only with its sea or coasts, but also with its cultural, commercial and geographical areas connected to these areas.
The people of this culture are warm-blooded. Although they were not friends for 40 years, they shed their hearts, mingle easily, they love smiling, hospitality and talking very much! Emotions, friendships, family ties and tradition are very important. Cosy tables that last for hours, accompanied by a deep and pleasant conversation, delicious meals prepared with the freshest ingredients, opinions exchanged loudly, and much, much fun… They speak loudly without being drunk, and fast without being angry. They do not necessarily have to drink for fun, but they like to eat and drink. In fact, it is the centre of the Mediterranean lifestyle. Even the food cooked at home is delicious, with recipes that are transferred from generation to generation from grandmothers’ traditional homes.
The sea? Certainly it is the centre of the Mediterranean culture. Yet, not the wild, frightening ocean waters, rather calm seas. The sea embraces the Mediterranean people affectionately and becomes a part of their life.
The Mediterranean Magazine was born with an aim to create a very big Mediterranean family who come together because they share a mutual passion for this region and its people. We celebrate authenticity and our philosophy is aiming to make it the go-to source of inspiration and influence for gastronomy, culture, history, wellness, travel.
Creating a platform, an online magazine that is embodying the very essence of the Mediterranean is showing us how so many people share the same passion for the Mediterranean countries and style it has to offer. We know that the secret to happiness lies in simplicity, just like the people of the Mediterranean do. Welcome to your Mediterranean Home!
Meet the Founder
Hello! I am Mergim.
I was born in Istanbul, and spent all my childhood summers on the coasts of the Aegean and the Mediterranean. I travelled among the Mediterranean countries and found happiness in their culture, language, food and style immensely.
Years later I went to London to study English Literature and Journalism. During my time there, I had the chance to notice huge cultural differences. This certainly made me appreciate people closer to my country much more. In a city so cosmopolitan like London, the people I felt closest to were Greek, Cypriot, Italian, Spanish, Lebanese and the list goes on.
I have always been passionate about aesthetics, wellness, decoration, and photography. As I grew older, I have realised, the simplest things in life make me the happiest. I started appreciating the beauty of simple living, warm and hospitable people, and enjoying things that actually matter in life.
To be precise what makes me happy is as simple as that: Preparing beautiful long tables, delicious food enjoyed with our loved ones, singing and dancing, smiling, sailing, hosting guests, loving passionately and of course forever keeping a youthful spirit!
I wanted to combine my passion with the things that make me happy.
Eventually, I genuinely wanted to promote and share this culture both with people who are from a Mediterranean country or simply, who admire it. I am more than happy to welcome everybody into my journey.
My paternal great grandmother was an Italian Jew, my paternal great grandfather was a Turk who migrated from Thessaloniki to Istanbul and my maternal side has a Caucasian background. I believe what matters is not nationality or religion but humanity, tolerance and understanding; the joyful similarities that bring us together.
I hope you can enjoy and be a part of this exciting journey.