Representing Modern Istanbul: Urban History and International Institutions in Twentieth Century Beyoglu

Istanbul's Beyoglu has undergone a metamorphosis from a mid-sized city to a megapolis since the 1950s, with the German Teutonia club, Turkish cinema culture, and influential francophone, British, and German schools educating many of Turkey's future elite. This book explores the urban history of Beyoglu via a series of case studies that use previously unexamined archival material to tell the story of its local and international institutions, revealing the effects of changing political circumstances and its legacy as a multicultural center.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 24 August 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

After the fall of the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul would no longer serve as the capital, but it would remain a vital urban center in the newly established Turkish republic. Since the 1950s, the city has undergone a remarkable transformation from a mid-sized city to a bustling megapolis. Beyoglu, historically known as the most cosmopolitan district and home to European embassies and cultural institutions, serves as a microcosm of these changes. This book delves into the urban history of Beyoglu through a series of case studies that utilize previously unexamined archival material to unravel the story of its local and international institutions. From the German Teutonia club, which was a hub of Turkey's cinema culture, to influential francophone, British, and German schools that educated many of Turkey's future elite, the book charts the shifting identities of the district's residents. These case studies shed light on the impact of changing political circumstances, ranging from the rise of nationalism to Turkey's role in the Cold War, while also critically examining Beyoglu's legacy as a multicultural center. Throughout the book, readers are presented with a vivid portrayal of resilience, cross-cultural interaction, and a significant contribution to our understanding of both present-day and historical Istanbul and Beyoglu.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780755637508