In the political developments in Turkey over the last months all attention has gone to the Islamists and Kemalists. The struggle between those two seems to have overshadowed the concerns of many... Show moreIn the political developments in Turkey over the last months all attention has gone to the Islamists and Kemalists. The struggle between those two seems to have overshadowed the concerns of many ordinary Turkish citizens. Nevertheless, people who sympathized with neither of the two sides were instrumental in putting up an opposition movement against the AKP government. It remains a question whether they can bring about further democratization in Turkey. Show less
The image of Istanbul as capital of one of the world’s greatest empires is often used to emphasize its cosmopolitanism, a convenient marketing tool in today’s global economy. Just as historical... Show moreThe image of Istanbul as capital of one of the world’s greatest empires is often used to emphasize its cosmopolitanism, a convenient marketing tool in today’s global economy. Just as historical monuments are used to remind the tourist of Istanbul’s role as the cradle of civilization, the claim to cosmopolitanism employs the notion that, in Ottoman times, many religious and ethnic groups coexisted peacefully in the city. Yet in repackaging Istanbul in this way, certain signs of diversity are championed while others are notably passed over. Show less
Located on a hilltop in Menemen, Izmir, the monument to Turkey’s “first martyr of secularism,” Kubilay, has recently become a major site for the defenders of secularism against the AKP government.... Show moreLocated on a hilltop in Menemen, Izmir, the monument to Turkey’s “first martyr of secularism,” Kubilay, has recently become a major site for the defenders of secularism against the AKP government. Isolated from the town below and surrounded by competing sacred sites, this monument reflects the gap between national history and alternative local histories. Show less
