Seminar in Ottoman and Turkish Studies: Evren Altinkas

Canadians in Turkey (1876 – 1938)

The Seminar in Ottoman and Turkish Studies invites you to an online talk next Wednesday, November 20, 2024.

This talk will focus on the overlooked contributions of Canadians who lived in Turkey between 1876 and 1938, a pivotal period marked by Turkey's transition from an Ottoman empire to a modern republic. This research delves into the diverse experiences of these Canadians—missionaries, diplomats, educators, and military officers—whose work significantly impacted both Canadian and Turkish history. Using archival records, memoirs, and personal letters from Canadian descendants, the study aims to unearth primary sources that shed light on the personal and professional challenges these individuals faced in Turkey. 

By examining the motivations and contributions of these Canadians, the talk will highlight their roles in fostering cultural exchanges, aiding in diplomatic relations, and participating in significant historical events such as 1908 Revolution and Turkey’s War of Independence. Figures like Reverend Dr. Robert Chambers, Alexander MacLachlan, and Colonel K.E. Clayton Kennedy will be spotlighted for their contributions to education, diplomacy, and economic relations.

The talk will also explore how their experiences were shaped by transnationalism, a framework that transcends national borders to examine how identities, cultures, and political influences flowed between Canada and Turkey. This approach will provide a richer understanding of the interconnected histories of these two nations, offering new perspectives on Canada’s global engagement during a transformative era.

Ultimately, this research enriches the broader historical narrative by highlighting Canada’s often overlooked presence in Turkey and offers a new dimension to the cultural and political ties that have connected these nations for over a century.

Join us online: bit.ly/Sots_Altinkas

* See the event poster: Altinkas_Sots.pdf