When Ottomans Become Turks: Commemorating the Conquest of Constantinople and Its Contribution to World History

Extract

In recent years, on May 29, a visitor to Istanbul interested in escaping the crowds of foreign tourists at the city's many famous monuments and museums easily might have passed the day participating in a series of commemorations occurring throughout the city. Devoted to the anniversary of the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, these events include public prayers at the mausoleum of Sultan Mehmed II, the laying of wreaths at three different statues of the sultan, and an impressive ceremony outside the city walls featuring speeches, music, dance, and colorfully dressed Ottoman soldiers who stage a dramatic reenactment of the moment when the imposing city walls were finally breached following a fifty-three-day siege. The day's celebrations are capped by an impressive musical laser and fireworks show projected over the Golden Horn, during which large crowds listen to an adulatory speech by the mayor of Istanbul and watch scenes from a film depicting the conquest of Constantinople.¹