Friday Talks: Afro Turks

As part of our Friday Talks series, it was our great pleasure to host Prof. Dr. Erdal Aksoy, faculty member at Ankara Hacı Bayram Veli University. His talk, titled “Afro Turks,” offered a highly enriching discussion that contributed both academically and in terms of cultural awareness. Throughout the session, we explored in detail the historical origins of Afro Turks living in İzmir and the surrounding regions, their migration routes to Anatolia, the socio-economic and cultural challenges they encountered during the Ottoman period, and the ways in which their heritage has been preserved and carried into the present day.

Prof. Dr. Aksoy provided valuable insights into the unique place of Afro Turks within Turkey’s cultural diversity, touching upon key themes such as identity, belonging, migration, and collective memory. We extend our sincere thanks to all participants who contributed to the event with their engagement, and especially to Prof. Dr. Erdal Aksoy for his insightful presentation.