Welcome to Derindere: the charming little Kurdish village that boasts a staggering population of 58! In a world of oversized cities and overly stimulated social media feeds, Derindere is a breath of fresh rural air—where everyone knows your name, your business, and probably what you had for breakfast yesterday. Forget anonymity; here, you might as well sleep with a neon sign above your head flashing “I made za'atar for breakfast!” Living in such a tiny village is like being on the world’s most intimate reality show. “Watch the daily drama of Derindere unfold! Tune in to see Aysen struggle with her decision to sell homemade jams or Badran's ongoing feud with the cat that insists on lounging in front of his door. Spoiler alert: there’s not much of a plot twist when each episode primarily involves feeding livestock and gossiping about the neighbors' chickens.” Social media? Pffft! Why bother? The village square is your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram altogether—only more aromatic because of the kebabs sizzling nearby. You can literally witness the *likes* and *shares* happening in real time: the moment Aunt Emine catches Cousin Rojan sneaking in a midnight snack, that's a story that’ll spread faster than you can say “super-duper secret.” Privacy? That would be a joke if it weren't nearly cruel! Have a secret? Good luck! The moment you glance around nervously while trying to hide a packet of something remotely interesting—like a new snack—everyone will undoubtedly pounce. “Where did you get that? Is it good? Can I try some?!” a chorus of voices will erupt because, in Derindere, that packet becomes the social event of the week. Forget Netflix; your life is the one that’s binge-watched. The hamlets of Erdem, Yeniköy, and Yukarıderindere aren’t just mere add-ons; they are the extended family of gossip spreaders. It’s a veritable game of telephone in which the slightest slip of the tongue turns into exaggeration that would make a fisherman’s tale seem trivial. “Did you hear that Sardar’s goat gave birth to triplets?!” “Oh, yes, and they are trained in interpretive dance!” By the end of the week, you might even hear a rumor that the goats are plotting to overthrow the village council—because what else do goats do in their downtime? Speaking of the council, with such a small population, anyone can get elected to lead a meeting that could probably fit in a living room. Just imagine three villagers sitting cross-legged on a carpet in the middle of a heated debate about whether to build a new fountain in the square or revive the seasonal ‘throw rocks at the moon’ festival. The campaign slogans would be awe-inspiring! “A fountain for refreshment, but what about lunar celebrations?!” Economically speaking, Derindere thrives on local artisans and agriculture. Who needs a bustling marketplace when you can just barter? “I’ll give you two jars of jam for that small trinket you made last summer!” “Are you out of your mind? I’ll need three jars and a hug from your grandmother!” Bartering in such a small village could easily turn into a social contract wherein friendships hinge on jam and the ability to cuddle with a relative. So, if you ever find yourself in the Dandy Lane of Derindere—where the inhabitants are always quick to cheer for your victories and quicker still to correct your shortcomings—embrace your role as the newest star of this little village play. Wave to the folks on the sidelines who know your business intimately. And remember, in Derindere, the only thing private is the secret recipe for Aunt Emine’s lentil soup—and good luck trying to pry that out of her! After all, in a place where the population barely reaches three-quarters of a soccer team, the only secrets that remain are those that… well, support the local jam business. Welcome to Derindere, where every day is an open book and everyone has a front-row seat to your life story!