Aim and Scope

Ottomans took part in rewriting the political and socio-cultural history of the area within more than 500 hundred years during their reign over the Balkans. Various religious and ethnic groups were integrated into the Ottoman Culture, and the main features those made these lands “the Balkans” were shaped by the conditions of that period. The Balkans experienced a great improvement by the Ottoman rule based on justice. The unique examples of Ottoman Architecture in this area are the proofs of this very fact. However, this interaction was not necessarily a unilateral one. The Balkans also contributed in the upbringing of many figures those made Ottomans ‘an Empire’ in many fields including science, politics, military and arts, as a matter of fact, the Balkans exerted great efforts on maturing the Ottoman Culture. Some of these figures include Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Yahya Kemal, İsmail Hakki Bursawî, Filibeli Ahmet Hilmi, Ahmet Cevdet Pasha, Matrakci Nasuh, Sokullu Mehmet Pasha, Fahrettin Pasha.

As a center of attraction, Edirne, served as the capital of the Ottoman Empire prior to Istanbul.  Some great dreams were seen in this city first; and the hopes for the future emerged thereof. By the hope of the same dream, a new institution was established this year: Trakya University Faculty of Divinity. We think that rediscovering and understanding the science, thought and art all of which are the products of a peaceful and fruitful historical background under the Ottoman rule for more than 600 years, would provide new hopes, possibilities, and establish bridges between the cultures. A two-sided view from the Balkans to Turkey and from Turkey to the Balkans would contribute to understand not only the Balkans but also to understand ourselves. Thus, Trakya University Faculty of Divinity organized an international symposium under the title of “The Balkans and Ottoman Science, Thought and Art” on 7-9 May with the collaboration of Islamic Researches Foundation (ISAV) and Istanbul University Faculty of Arts Center for Islamic Studies.