Minority Memory, Identity, and Reconciliation: The Turkish Muslim Minority of Greece and the Greek Orthodox Minority of Türkiye
Minority Memory, Identity, and Reconciliation: The Turkish Muslim Minority of Greece and the Greek Orthodox Minority of Türkiye
by Gül M Gür
University of Michigan Press, 2025
ISBNs
Cloth: 978-0-472-07745-8
Paper: 978-0-472-05745-0
eISBN: 978-0-472-90504-1 (OA)
About the Book
Migration and minority rights are increasingly at the forefront of global discourse. Minority Memory, Identity, and Reconciliation explores the lives of two often overlooked minority communities: the Greek Orthodox minority in Istanbul, Türkiye, and the Turkish Muslim minority in Western Thrace, Greece. As empires dissolved, the leaders and political elites of new, smaller nations that emerged embarked on population exchanges to increase the ethnic and religious homogeneity of their nation-states. Although these two minority communities differ in religious, ethnic, and socioeconomic terms, they both offer unique perspectives on what happens to people who live on what is perceived as the wrong side of an arbitrarily drawn border.
Drawing from the personal stories of members of these two minority communities regarding their struggle with displacement, discrimination, and cultural assimilation, as well as comprehensive historical analysis, this book examines how historical traumas, national policies, and sociopolitical dynamics have influenced contemporary minority memory and identity formation. By incorporating interviews with community leaders, civil society representatives, and state officials, this book offers a rich, multifaceted perspective on the processes of memory and identity formation that underscores the broader implications of these processes for international relations in the region and minority rights. Gül M. Gür pulls together theories of nationalism, collective memory, and narrative practice to highlight the unique process of minority memory work and its role in sustaining minority identity and their advocacy efforts.
Drawing from the personal stories of members of these two minority communities regarding their struggle with displacement, discrimination, and cultural assimilation, as well as comprehensive historical analysis, this book examines how historical traumas, national policies, and sociopolitical dynamics have influenced contemporary minority memory and identity formation. By incorporating interviews with community leaders, civil society representatives, and state officials, this book offers a rich, multifaceted perspective on the processes of memory and identity formation that underscores the broader implications of these processes for international relations in the region and minority rights. Gül M. Gür pulls together theories of nationalism, collective memory, and narrative practice to highlight the unique process of minority memory work and its role in sustaining minority identity and their advocacy efforts.
About the Author
Gül M. Gür is Senior Lecturer at American University.
Reviews
“This work offers a powerful and deeply insightful comparative analysis of how the Greek Orthodox minority in Istanbul and the Turkish Muslim minority in Western Thrace navigate and harness memory and identity to preserve their heritage, strengthen their advocacy, and contribute to building more inclusive and peaceful societies. A vital read for understanding resilience and reconciliation.”— Alpaslan Özerdem, George Mason University
“Gül M. Gür offers a well-written and timely contribution to the study of minority memory as a determinant of Greek-Turkish relations, as Greece and Turkey are once again trying to restore their bilateral relationship. Addressing minority memory issues is essential for the success of any reconciliation process.”— Ioannis N. Grigoriadis, Bilkent University
“A vital contribution to peace and conflict resolution, identity and memory studies, and reconciliation research, this book unpacks the lived experiences of Istanbul’s Greek Orthodox and Western Thrace’s Turkish Muslim minorities. Through rich narratives, it illuminates how historical memory shapes identity, state-minority relations, and the enduring struggle for justice and reconciliation.”— Karina V. Korostelina, George Mason University
“Greek-Turkish minority issues have been bogged down in the quagmire of ‘interstate reciprocity’ for far too long. This fresh approach centered on the needs of the minorities could create a healthier environment not only for the people concerned but also for the relations between the states.”— Vemund Aarbakke, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
"[R]eaders will be rewarded by a balanced and highly recommended account of the depth of accumulated hostility and a sad legacy of Balkan history."— Zachary Irwin, Library Journal
Tags
Ethnic Conflict: Studies in Nationality, Race, and Culture, Reconciliation, Greeks, Istanbul, Turks, Religious minorities, Thrace Western, Identity, Relations, Greece, Ethnic relations, International Relations, World, Social conditions, Political Science
Open Access Information
License: CC BY-NC
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