Story of once occupied imperial capital Istanbul in exhibition

The Suna and İnan Kıraç Foundation Istanbul Research Institute's latest exhibition presents a glimpse into Istanbul occupied by the British, French and Italian armed forces after World War I, as revealed through written accounts and images discovered in the archives.

Curated by Daniel-Joseph MacArthur-Seal and Gizem Tongo in collaboration with an international team of advisors, the exhibition "Occupied City: Politics and Daily Life in Istanbul, 1918-1923" delves into the military, social and cultural aspects of the occupation, which lasted from November 1918 to October 1923.

The exhibition features a range of textual and visual materials, from official documents to paintings, films, and photographs from various libraries, archives, and collections in Türkiye, France, Britain, Greece, Armenia and Russia, most of which are on public display for the first time.

These materials, in addition to the archives of the Istanbul Research Institute, provide a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the rich history of the city. The centenary of the Allied withdrawal from Istanbul and the arrival of Turkish troops provide a timely moment to revisit the often-forgotten individuals, events and movements that defined a city that was, in all senses of the word, occupied.

The show reflects the dynamic nature of Istanbul, a city undergoing significant political, social, and cultural changes during the years of occupation. In those years, Istanbul was, in every sense of the word, an occupied city. Who would remain and who would rule was the subject of rumor and speculation, exacerbated by the contradicting statements of Allied statesmen, successive Ottoman cabinets and the Ankara government.

Residents of the city witnessed and participated in...