The Centenary is being marked in Turkey with an exhibition of First World War Ottoman documents and memorabilia at Koç University’s Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations in Istanbul.
‘Propaganda and War, The Allied Front during the First World War’ explores the evolution of the Ottoman Empire’s relations with its German, Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian allies.
Turkey entered the war on October 29th 1914, having signed a secret alliance with Germany in August.
Featuring commemorative posters, ceramics postcards, flags, awards and ‘innumerable historical documents,’ the exhibition aims to show how public support was marshalled for the conflict against the Entente powers of Britain, France and Russia.
Triple and Quadruple Alliance propaganda postcards (Image: courtesy of Koç University Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations/Ömer M. Koç Collection)
The exhibition promises an insight into the cultural exchanges that took place during the First World War, including artistic activities, reciprocal visits, and the coordination and production of propaganda tools.
Among the highlights is a rare album of plates by the Austrian war artist, Wilhelm Viktor Krausz.
Dating from 1915-16, ‘Paintings and Drawings from Turkey’ contains the first known portrait of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, defender of Gallipoli and founder of the post-war Republic of Turkey.
‘Propaganda and War, The Allied Front during the First World War’ draws on artefacts and memorabilia from the Ömer M. Koç Collection. It runs at Koç University Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations (RCAC), Istanbul, until March 22nd 2015.
An academic conference is being held at RCAC on January 10th 2015 to accompany the exhibition. ‘Ideology, Propaganda, and War: The Ottomans in the Great War’ features historians from Turkey and overseas. The event is open to the public.
Information & images supplied by Koç University Research Center for Anatolian Civilizations/Ömer M. Koç Collection
Posted by: Peter Alhadeff, Centenary News