An exhibition titled “Yeniden Buluşacağız: İmroz’un 1964 Belleği” (We Will Meet Again: Imbros’ 1964 Memory), due to be held on the historically Greek island of Gökçeada (Imbros) in Turkey, has been cancelled due to pressures from Turkish nationalists.
The exhibition, which would have reflected on the events of 1964, including the expulsion of the Rum population and its impact on the Rum/Greek identity of the island, was initially targeted on social media on 8 August.
Prepared by journalist Melike Çapan and first opened in Istanbul in November 2022, the exhibition was set to take place in Zeytinliköy, Gökçeada – its home – as its second stop.
Shortly after the slandering campaign on social media, the Gökçeada City Council issued a parallel press statement claiming that the exhibition “targets the spiritual personality of the state.” The statement accused the exhibition of being filled with insults, slanders, and false allegations, and being applauded by “Rum and Greek-loving writers, artists, and intellectuals.”
The statement further claimed that the exhibition offends the Ottoman Turkish community living on the island and argued that the Rums are more comfortable than ever, especially compared to the situation of Turks in Western Thrace. It also threatened legal action if the exhibition contained any offensive approach against the state and the nation.
Melike Çapan responded to the situation, stating that “the remnants of 1964” forced her to cancel the exhibition. She said she spoke directly with Gökçeada City Council President Bülent Aylı, who perceived the exhibition’s name as a threat and expressed dissatisfaction with the title “We Will Meet Again” and the mention of 1964.
Çapan continued, “They said they would complain to the prosecutor’s office if the exhibition was held. Their claim is that I am betraying the state. I am a journalist. I am only responsible for serving the people and accountable only to the people.”
The terms “Greek” and “Rum” are often used interchangeably, but they refer to distinct identities, especially in the context of Turkey. Greek generally refers to the people of Greece, the Greek nation, or those of Greek ethnic descent. It encompasses the language, culture, and history of Greece. The term “Rum,” on the other hand, is used specifically to describe the Greek Orthodox Christian community in Turkey, particularly in Istanbul.
The 1964 expulsion: A turning point
Nestled in the Aegean Sea, the island of İmroz (Gökçeada) stands as a testament to the troubled past and present of Turkey’s non-accommodation of its minorities. Once predominantly populated by the Rum (Greek Orthodox) community, İmroz’s transformation from the “Island of the Happy” to a “Forbidden Zone” offers a compelling narrative of the plight of Turkey’s minorities.
The unilateral termination of the 1930 Residence, Trade, and Navigation Agreement by Turkey in March 1964 marked a turning point. The termination, driven by rising tensions in Cyprus, led to the expulsion of the Rum community, including those from İmroz. The expulsion allowed individuals to take only minimal belongings and affected thousands, including the elderly and disabled. By the end of the process, an estimated 45,000 Rums had left Turkey.
