George R.R. Martin and Sibel Kekilli unite to fight violence in Turkey against women

Even though we live in the 21st century, violence against women doesn’t seem to end. Gender-based violence cause half of our population to live under constant fear. Many of these acts were projected through Game of Thrones. The fantasy show may have been inspired by the medieval period, but the poor treatment of women still exists in present times. Game of Thrones creator George R. R. Martin and actress Sibel Kekilli (Shae) have United against gender-based violence in Turkey.

Martin wrote on his blog Not a Blog, “My dear friend Sibel Kekilli — Shae, for all you fans of HBO’s GAME OF THRONES — emailed me recently to alert me to some distressing news out of Turkey. (Sibel is German, born and raised in Germany, but of Turkish descent). Turkey, under the Erdogan regime, has officially withdrawn from the Istanbul convention that combats violence against women.

Here are the details:

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/03/20/europe/turkey-convention-violence-women-intl/index.html

Sibel herself has first-hand knowledge of what it means to experience violence, and she has long been an advocate fighting violence against women all around the world. She is not only an amazing actress (she gave Shae a depth the character never had in my books), but a very brave woman, and a true hero. I admire her immensely for all she has done and continues to do. 

And I would like to echo her message to the women and girls of Turkey: Selam Ve Sevgiler.

Stay strong.”

What do you think about the situation in Turkey? Tell us in the comments below!

Game of Thrones showcased some of the finest warriors in fantastical television history. Out of all the warriors on the show, Ser Gregor Clegane (The Mountain) was the most feared. Why wouldn’t he be fearsome? The Mountain was played by the world’s strongest man Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson himself!

Björnsson showed off his great strength by breaking the world’s deadlift record- he lifted 501 kg. After setting up the milestone, he challenged long time rival Eddie Hall to a boxing match. The match has been dubbed the heaviest boxing match in history.

Bjornsson is showing off his incredible new figure as he prepares for his highly anticipated boxing debut. And he looks incredibly terrifying, even more than how he was on Game of Thrones as the Mountain.

The 6-foot-7 monster dropped 40 pounds in one month after the official announcement of the boxing match. In May, Bjornsson beat Hall’s world record deadlift to set a new mark at 1,104 pounds. The pair have long been engaged in a war of words with each previously accusing the other of cheating.

Björnsson’s recent Instagram posts clearly show that he has continued his weight cut and is looking fierce ahead of the fight, still five months away. Who do you think will win the bout? Talk to us in the comments below!

Game of Thrones first premiered on HBO ten years ago on April 17, 2011. The show is dubbed the greatest TV show of the 21st century. The series won a total of 59 Primetime Emmy Awards. The record still stands to this day. No wonder HBO is so invested in exploring the Game of Thrones universe, with several prequels in development. HBO will celebrate a decade of Game Of Thrones with its month-long event, The Iron Anniversary. And it seems like nature has joined the celebrations as well.

Last week, Mount Fagradalsfjall erupted after 900 years of slumber 40 kilometres from the capital Reykjavik. The area has become a tourist hot spot for the weekend hikers. Thousands occasionally gather admiring the hot red glowing lava that streams into a river. Recent pictures of the visitors from the scene have now sparked jokes and humour across social media. The internet compared the breath-taking volcanic spurts and incandescent lava with a scene from the HBO drama.

Wow! Iceland knows how to volcano. From tonight! #icelanderuption #icelandvolcano #iceland pic.twitter.com/YdgcCJXdQZ

— Brian Emfinger (@brianemfinger) April 9, 2021

The photos of eruption scenes were captured by an aerial videographer, Brian Emfinger. Many compared its visual appeal with R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series’ Game of Thrones’ symbology that revolves around ice vs. fire. The image of the 300,000 cubic meters (10.5 million cubic feet) of lava streaming in the ice-cold region and Icelanders. Collectively reminded the internet of HBO’s screenplay, as the scenes bore resemblance with the fantasy drama.

Land of fire and ice.

— Asroq Khotaminur (@asarochi) April 11, 2021

What do you think of the graphic scenery? How are you celebrating the Iron anniversary? Talk to us in the comments below!

HBO’s Iron Anniversary celebrations are currently underway on account of a decade of Game of Thrones. The month-long celebrations will include various events and specials related to the epic on HBO and HBO Max. The Marathrone, which began on 10th April, is already at its peak. Bryan Cogman, the writer for the acclaimed series, is busy reliving his favourite moments from the Marathrone.

He listed his favourite episodes, character-wise, on Twitter. “Okay, as promised, I’m starting my own #GoT watchlist thread after taking a look at some of the, let’s just say… interesting selections for this Iron Anniversary thing,” Cogman tweeted on Monday. “Will add to this thread throughout the week.”

Okay, as promised, I’m starting my own #GoT watchlist thread after taking a look at some of the, let’s just say… interesting selections for this Iron Anniversary thing.

Will add to this thread throughout the week.

I’m limiting replies on this for obvious reasons. Sorry.

— Bryan Cogman (@cogman_bryan) April 12, 2021

The characters that were on his list were Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister, Sansa Stark, Arya Stark, Cersei Lannister, Jaime Lannister and Brienne. Jon was first on his list, and of course, Battle of the Bastards had to be there.

1) The Kingsroad (S1)2) The Old Gods and the New (S2)3) The Climb (S3)4) The Watchers on the Wall (S4)5) Hardhome (S5)6) Oathbreaker (S6)7) Battle of the Bastards (S6)8) The Queen’s Justice (S7)9) The Dragon and the Wolf (S7)

10) The Iron Throne (S8)

— Bryan Cogman (@cogman_bryan) April 13, 2021

Next came the Dragon Queen which started with the Golden Crown.

Dany:1) A Golden Crown (S1)2) Fire and Blood (S1)3) Walk of Punishment (S3)4) And Now His Watch Is Ended (S3)5) The Children (S4)6) The House of Black and White (S5)7) Hardhome (S5)8) The Dance of Dragons (S5)9) The Queen’s Justice (S7)

10) The Spoils of War (S7)

— Bryan Cogman (@cogman_bryan) April 13, 2021

Tyrion’s list included the Battle of Blackwater that made him famous, in a good way, at King’s Landing.

So, that said. Tyrion:1) A Golden Crown2) Baelor3) What Is Dead May Never Die4) Blackwater5) Second Sons6) The Laws of Gods and Men7) The Children8) Hardhome9) The Dragon and the Wolf

10) A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

— Bryan Cogman (@cogman_bryan) April 13, 2021

Next comes Sansa’s list.

Sansa:1) The Pointy End (S1)2) Blackwater (S2)3) Dark Wings, Dark Words (S3)4) Mockingbird (S4)5) The Mountain and the Viper (S4)6) Hardhome (S5)7) Book of the Stranger (S6)8) Battle of the Bastards (S6)9) The Winds of Winter (S6)

10) The Dragon and the Wolf (S7)

— Bryan Cogman (@cogman_bryan) April 13, 2021

Arya’s list was complicated for Cogman, but he did it anyway.

Ugh. Ok. Again, going with my gut since this one’s too hard. Arya:

1) Lord Snow (S1)2) Baelor (S1)3) The Ghost of Harrenhal (S2)4) Kissed By Fire (S3)5) Two Swords (S4)6) The Children (S4)

7) The Dance of Dragons (S5)

(cont.)

— Bryan Cogman (@cogman_bryan) April 13, 2021

Bryan had heaps of praises for Lena Headey’s performance as Cersei.

Now Cersei. Lena should’ve won a lot of Emmys. Just sayin’.

1) The Kingsroad (S1)2) The North Remembers (S2)3) Blackwater (S2)4) The Lion and the Rose (S4)5) The Children (S4)6) The Gift (S5)7) Mother’s Mercy (S5)

8) The Winds of Winter (S6)

(cont.)

— Bryan Cogman (@cogman_bryan) April 14, 2021

Jaime’s walk to redemption can be seen on Cogman’s list.

And now… Jaime:

1) Winter Is Coming (S1)2) A Man Without Honor (S2)3) Walk of Punishment (S3)4) Kissed By Fire (S3)5) The Bear and the Maiden Fair (S3)6) Oathkeeper (S4)7) The Children (S4)8) No One (S6)9) The Spoils of War (S7)

10) A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (S8)

— Bryan Cogman (@cogman_bryan) April 14, 2021

He ended the list with Brienne of Tarth, as of today.

Well then, I guess I’ll do my Brienne list:

1) What Is Dead May Never Die (S2)2) The Ghost of Harrenhal (S2)3) And Now His Watch Is Ended (S3)4) Kissed By Fire (S3)5) The Bear and the Maiden Fair (S3)6) Oathkeeper (S4))7) The Children (S4)

8) The Red Woman (S6)

(cont.)

— Bryan Cogman (@cogman_bryan) April 14, 2021

Well, the Iron Anniversary celebrations have just begun, and there’s plenty more in store. Do you agree with Bryan’s list? Or do you have your own? Tell us in the comments below!