İzmir: The 9th of September, the International Fair, and the Founding Spirit of a Nation
After a long summer internship abroad, I had the opportunity of coming back for a short stay in İzmir before the "add-drops". For three months I baked in the scorching desert heat of the Middle East. I was happy to be back in İzmir where the climate was more to my liking. My friends from İstanbul, Ankara and other cities may not understand, but to me İzmir is my dearest, my favorite, my precious home. As far as I can see, this form of "hometown fetishism" must be endemic and specific to İzmirians. It may come from the "cultural heritage" and humanistic DNA of this colorful "city of tolerance and cohabitation".
İzmir is 5000-years-old. This long record of history harbors the legacy of many philosophers, artists, architects, politicians, community leaders, and those who have called İzmir home. Since İzmir was an important port city for centuries, it was at the crossroads for many different peoples, religions, and civilizations. It has always been an invaluable center of commercial and cultural transfer. The location of İzmir, both geographically and culturally, has helped İzmirians gain and maintain a hold on free speech and free thought in their community. İzmir has refused to be a readily-obedient city. It has always been individual and unique.
There was a very rich history in İzmir before the Republic of Turkey was born, but İzmir also holds great importance in modern Turkey. İzmir is the city where the first revolutionary bullet was fired against the invaders, and was the city that witnessed the final victory of the Turkish War of Independence on September 9th, 1922. İzmir was also home to the İzmir Economy Congress in 1923, which outlined the future economic plans of the newborn State, even before the proclamation of the Republic.
Culturally, İzmir hosts an International Fair every year for about two weeks before "the 9th of September". İzmirian parents have always told their children that this fair "was perfect in the good old days", and their children get the idea that the İzmir International Fair is not the same as it once was. This fair is unique in Turkey. It is a benchmark of the economic progress of a nation, and it is one of the cornerstones of the İzmirian lifestyle.
To each and every İzmirian, the name "İzmir" means taking a major turn towards being urban, educated, and forward. Part of this is because the İzmirian spirit dictates that the residents must protect their habitat from the 'human factor'. In other words, they must be respectful of the environment. Furthermore, wherever an İzmirian is present, there is the well-known sense of "İzmir diaspora". To many people of the city, it is felt that they have a very unique social identity within this country. More often than not, İzmirians will usually feel unhappy in a city that is different from İzmir. They tend to compare "other" cities to İzmir. For example, when I was in Haifa this summer, I found it to be a multicultural, colorful port city. It felt great to be there BECAUSE it was much "like İzmir".
In the unique identity of İzmir, the 9th of September is a turning point; therefore I try my best to celebrate the 9th of September every year. Last year, I took in a presentation by Prof. Talat Halman and Yıldız Kenter on "Traditional Turkish Arts and Literature". I capped it off by attending a magnificent concert put on by the Bilkent Symphony Orchestra in support of the UNICEF Campaign for the Education of Girls. This year on September 9th, I was in Cumhuriyet (Republic) Square in İzmir to celebrate the emancipation of İzmir, and thus the final victory of the Turkish War of Independence. It was more beautiful than ever, with a wonderful parade starting from Konak Square along the Aegean Coast. As a nice coincidence, "the 9th of September" was the final day of the İzmir International Fair for this year. I visited the fair over and over again. Whatever "outsiders" claim İzmir has always been, and will always be my dearest, my favorite, and my precious... forever.
Erkan Bayır (MBG/IV)
bayir@ug.bilkent.edu.tr
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