The exhibition "Documents and Photographs of Macedonia in the Ottoman Period" was inaugurated through a collaboration between the Presidential State Archives of the Republic of Turkey and the State Archives of the Republic of North Macedonia. The exhibition features 80 photographs and 28 documents related to the history of Macedonia, including firmans and berats from the sultans, waqfs, a historical bridge, school photographs, and images depicting daily life. It was showcased in the Ottoman Archives Department in Kagithane.
Speaking before the opening, the Director of the State Archives of Turkey, Prof. Dr. Ugur Unal, expressed his pleasure in inaugurating the exhibition, which was created through the collaborative efforts of the institutions of both countries.
Emphasizing that archival documents, which are essential for a proper understanding of history, serve as national and international memories and are among the valuable cultural and historical treasures of states, Dr. Unal said: "These documents are also very important in terms of establishing bridges of friendship in the relations between the two countries. The State Archives of the Republic of Turkey and the State Archives of the Republic of North Macedonia are a good example of the positive impact of collaboration in the field of archiving on interstate relations."
Highlighting that the State Archives of the Republic of Turkey have preserved more than 130 million archival documents, of which 95 million belong to the Ottoman period and 40 million to the period of the Republic of Turkey.
Director Unal continued with the following words: "Since the Ottoman Empire existed in the Macedonian territory from the 15th century, our archives contain many resources related to the region."
According to Dr. Unal, archival documents are one of the best tools for preserving the memory of nations and transmitting it to future generations. As archival institutions, they work to ensure these documents are discovered, accessible, and usable.
Providing information about the photographs and documents in the exhibition, Director Unal continued his speech with the following:
"Thanks to the documents and photographs in this joint exhibition we have prepared, events can be seen through historical processes, such as the order of Abdulhamid II issued to compensate the losses and damages of the Muslim and non-Muslim people during a fire in a monastery. Additionally, the order of Sultan Abdulaziz to build a Christian school in Skopje for Christian children due to the inadequacy of the existing one stands as a good example that aligns with the concept of Pax Ottomana, demonstrating that the Ottoman Empire took an inclusive and tolerant path in diplomacy, respecting the religious and cultural differences of its people. Thanks to the photographs from the country's archives, we have the opportunity to witness the social and cultural events and daily life of that period—sometimes with a photograph of a married couple from Ottoman Macedonia in their traditional attire, and sometimes with a photograph of a young child at a circumcision ceremony—sunnah."
Mr. Unal hopes that the exhibition will contribute to the development of relations between the two countries.
Hrista Najdanov, MA, Director of the State Archives, highlighted that he is honored to attend the opening of the exhibition organized by the two countries, and that they aim to open the exhibition in North Macedonia in the near future.
Mr. Najdanov emphasized that there is excellent cooperation between Turkey and Macedonia regarding archives, and that this collaboration will continue because national archives are the foundation of history, the source of truth, and the custodians of memory.
Hrista Najdanov, MA, stated that the book "OTTOMAN DOCUMENTS FOR THE HISTORY OF MACEDONIA – Census of the XIX Century 1832/33 Skopje Sanjak, Skopje District for the Roma Christian-Islamic and Jewish population as well as the Christian artisan population" Volume II, Book 2 prepared by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adnan Sherif, published in Macedonian and Albanian languages, will be gifted to the State Archives of the Republic of Turkey in the Ottoman Department.
After the speeches, the exhibition was officially opened.
Interview link: https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/kultur/belge-ve-fotograflarla-osmanli-doneminde-makedonya-sergisi-istanbulda-acildi/3260197
