History

  • History on Horseback: The Evliya Çelebi Way

    Written by OnurInal on July 6th, 2010 in History, World Heritage1 Comment
    History on Horseback: The Evliya Çelebi Way
    In my previous post, I talked about Evliya Çelebi, a Turkish traveler who journeyed through the territory of the Ottoman Empire and neighboring lands over a period of forty years in the 17th century, whom the UNESCO has recognized as “Man of the Year” in 2011. Now, I want to tell you the Evliya Çelebi Way, a new cultural route through the Anatolia countryside. The Evliya Çelebi Way is an international project that has two connected goals: historical re-enactment and cultural re-connection by establishing cultural routes in Western and Southeastern Anatolia. The first central goal, historical re-enactment, is aimed to...

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  • Mastic: The Aegean’s Ingredient that Bonds Two Cultures

    Written by Valantis on July 2nd, 2010 in HistoryNo comments yet
    Mastic: The Aegean’s Ingredient that Bonds Two Cultures
    The Greek island of Chios (Sakiz in Turkish) lies off the coast of Izmir, directly across the shore of Çesme.  For years, there has been a special connection between the island and the port city that surpasses any political barrier between the two countries.  It’s a little magical piece of nature, and it’s called Mastic. Dripping off the trees in Chios is a natural gum called mastic, which is indigenous to the island.  Mastic, from the ancient Greek word mastixa, means “gnashing of teeth”.  Today, we have the word masticate in English for such a meaning. The Turkish name for...

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  • Evliya Çelebi, “Man of the Year” in 2011

    Written by OnurInal on June 25th, 2010 in History1 Comment
    Evliya Çelebi, “Man of the Year” in 2011
    In 1671, a man with a passion to travel and document departed from Istanbul for the Arabian lands. His purpose was to undertake the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. However, his route was so circuitous that his journey took twice as long as he originally expected, but the experiences he had were absolutely unbelievable! He wrote extensively about his journey in the ninth volume of his famous Book of Travels called the Seyahatname. This man was Evliya Çelebi, whom the UNESCO has recognized as “Man of the Year” in 2011. Nowadays, he is a part of an exhibition...

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  • The Church Restorations of Izmir

    Written by Valantis on June 7th, 2010 in History, Religions in Turkey1 Comment
    The Church Restorations of Izmir
    It’s no question that Turkey encompasses some of the most important Christian monuments since the birth of the religion.  One aspect of the land’s history is its development of Christianity, both spiritually and politically.  Up until 1922, Izmir was a stronghold for Christian communities, involving Greeks, Armenians, Levantines, French, and Italians.  Living in Izmir today, one may find that hard to believe.  But amid all the minarets, the historical and religious significance of the city’s Christian past is reincarnating itself this year.  Two former Greek Orthodox churches are set for complete restoration to help preserve Izmir’s rich diverse history, as...

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  • The Ottoman Kitchen

    Written by Valantis on April 22nd, 2010 in Eat & Drink, History, I was in Turkey, TravelNo comments yet
    The Ottoman Kitchen
    For all those traveling to Turkey and Greece, you may find that several of the foods resemble tastes, aromas, and most importantly names.  This commonality between the two countries dates back over 500 years to the Ottoman conquest ruling most of modern day Greece, as well as the entire eastern Mediterranean.  With the empirical regime brought an establishment of the Silk Road, offering new recipes and spices from Central Asia to the Aegean. Flash forward to today, and the eastern influence still holds strong in both Greece and Turkey.  As a descendent of Greek Izmir, the food in our household...

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  • Anzac Day – Lest We Forget

    Written by Casey on April 12th, 2010 in HistoryNo comments yet
    Anzac Day – Lest We Forget
    The countdown has begun and by mid-April, many tourists will have started their journey to the shores of Turkey, albeit in a vastly different way to the war heroes they are here to commemorate. It’s that time of year again when antipodeans all over the world come to pay their respects at Gallipoli for the much celebrated Anzac Day. Held on the 25th of April, this year marks the 95th anniversary since the tragic miscalculated landing on Anzac Cove that cost the lives of many Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Every year, thousands attend the dawn service to honour...

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  • Rebetiko: The Music Of Izmir and Asia Minor

    Written by Valantis on March 22nd, 2010 in History, I was in Turkey, Living in Turkey, Travel, Turkish Culture1 Comment
    Rebetiko: The Music Of Izmir and Asia Minor
    Athens, Greece, late 1920s.  The crescent moon hangs over the meyhanes of Athenian ghettos.  They are filled with men smoking their nargile, sipping their coffees and drinking a glass of raki. The small stage in front of them features a small group of bouzouki players, a kanun (santouri) player, accompanied by an oud and dumbek.  A lead singer, female, opens her mouth and delivers the words of pain and sadness, using the makam style of singing, honing in on the traditions of the world they lost in Asia Minor.  This is Rebetiko, also known as the Greek blues. Singers lament...

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