Symposium: Islam and Culture in Contemporary Turkey - Leiden University

On Friday 13 December LUCIS, in cooperation with Turkish Studies at Leiden University, is organising a symposium entitled ‘Contesting Identities: Islam and Culture in Contemporary Turkey’.

Over the last thirty years Islam gained new importance in Turkish culture. It manifests itself in politics and in social structures. However, it is particularly visible in the cultural domain. The presence of religious outings combined with a modern lifestyle manifests itself in literature, films and television series about a proper Islamic way of living. Related to this, interest in the Ottoman past redefines the past in a modern context. Interestingly, this phenomenon is not restricted to the religious segments of society, but it is much wider.

This symposium provides, next to a general overview of the re-emergence of Islam on the political and social level insights in specific art forms, such as architecture, literature, film and television drama with respect to these developments.

The three main themes of the lectures will be:

• Architecture/social geography/city and heritage
• Literature
• Media (film, television, social media)
  

Day program:

• Conveners: Dr Hans Theunissen and Dr Petra de Bruijn.
• Time 9.30-17.00.
• Venue:
• Tba. Entrance: free.

For more information on Turkish Dutch Relations please read the chapter "Ottoman-Dutch cultural ties" written bij Hans Theunissen.