Diyarbakir Exiles

Diyarbakir occupies a very important place in the national memory of Bulgarians. This city has extremely negative, even chilling connotations in the collective memory of Bulgarians due to the exiles in the second half of the 19th century. On the one hand, it is seen as a place where indescribable pain is experienced, and on the other hand, it is seen as an important stage and path of suffering in the acquisition of national self and identity. The reason for this was that, as a result of the nationally motivated gang activities and rebellions that took place in Bulgaria between 1862 and 1878, 140 Bulgarians from various ages, professions and social groups were exiled in five groups to the castle of the ancient city on the banks of the Tigris. Some exiles cannot handle the journey, especially during the winter months and the harsh climatic conditions of Anatolia; Some of them cannot get used to the air and water of Diyarbakır. Dozens of prisoners, risking all kinds of life-threatening risks, escaped to Romania via Aleppo and Iskenderun or Erzurum and the Caucasus. It is also seen that there are people who are pardoned before completing the sentence they were sentenced to; The rest are released in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of San Stefano (1878). Some of these political exiles, who were in a wide social and professional spectrum, from priests to teachers and tradesmen, from merchants to painters and innkeepers, wrote their memoirs about their journeys in Anatolia and the years spent in Diyarbakir, or provided information about urban life in the letters they sent to their families. They transferred it. Thus, striking observations and observations are made about the geographical location, history, air, water, climate, social and religious structure, places of worship, daily life, livelihoods, ethnic elements and their relations, bazaars, traditions and customs, lifestyle and cuisine of Diyarbakir and its region. impressions are conveyed. The fact that these determinations were made by people from a different geography in terms of nature and climate, such as the Balkans, makes the observations and perceptions even more interesting.
(From the Promotional Bulletin)



Number of Pages: 244

Year of Printing: 2016


Language: Turkish
Publisher: Kitap Publishing House

Number of Pages: 244

First Publication Year: 2016

Language: Turkish