Diaspora of the City: Stories of Cosmopolitanism from Istanbul and Athens (Palgrave Studies in Urban Anthropology)

As the former capital of two great empires—Eastern Roman and Ottoman—Istanbul has been home to many diverse populations, a condition often glossed as cosmopolitanism. The Greek-speaking Christian Orthodox community (Rum Polites) is among the oldest in the urban society, yet their leading status during the centuries of imperial cosmopolitanism has faded. They have even been brought to the brink of disappearance in their home city. Scattered around the world as a result of the homogenizing tendencies of nationalism, the Rum Polites in the diaspora of Istanbul (“the City” or __Poli__) continue to identify with its cosmopolitan legacy, as vividly shown through their everyday practices of distinction and cultural memory. By exploring the shifting meaning of cosmopolitanism in spatial and temporal contexts, __Diaspora of the City__ examines how experiences of forced displacement can highlight changing conceptualizations of what constitutes a local, diasporic, minority, or migrant community in different multicultural urban settings, past and present. As The Former Capital Of Two Great Empires--eastern Roman And Ottoman--istanbul Has Been Home To Many Diverse Populations, A Condition Often Glossed As Cosmopolitanism. The Greek-speaking Christian Orthodox Community (rum Polites) Is Among The Oldest In The Urban Society, Yet Their Leading Status During The Centuries Of Imperial Cosmopolitanism Has Faded. They Have Even Been Brought To The Brink Of Disappearance In Their Home City. Scattered Around The World As A Result Of The Homogenizing Tendencies Of Nationalism, The Rum Polites In The Diaspora Of Istanbul (the City Or Poli) Continue To Identify With Its Cosmopolitan Legacy, As Vividly Shown Through Their Everyday Practices Of Distinction And Cultural Memory. By Exploring The Shifting Meaning Of Cosmopolitanism In Spatial And Temporal Contexts, Diaspora Of The City Examines How Experiences Of Forced Displacement Can Highlight Changing Conceptualizations Of What Constitutes A Local, Diasporic, Minority, Or Migrant Community In Different Multicultural Urban Settings, Past And Present.-- Ilay Romain Örs. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 223-252) And Index. "As the former capital of two great empires--Eastern Roman and Ottoman--Istanbul has been home to many diverse populations, a condition often glossed as cosmopolitanism. The Greek-speaking Christian Orthodox community (Rum Polites) is among the oldest in the urban society, yet their leading status during the centuries of imperial cosmopolitanism has faded. They have even been brought to the brink of disappearance in their home city. Scattered around the world as a result of the homogenizing tendencies of nationalism, the Rum Polites in the diaspora of Istanbul ("the City" or Poli) continue to identify with its cosmopolitan legacy, as vividly shown through their everyday practices of distinction and cultural memory. By exploring the shifting meaning of cosmopolitanism in spatial and temporal contexts, Diaspora of the City examines how experiences of forced displacement can highlight changing conceptualizations of what constitutes a local, diasporic, minority, or migrant community in different multicultural urban settings, past and present."-- Provided by publisher "As the former capital of two great empires--Eastern Roman and Ottoman--Istanbul has been home to many diverse populations, a condition often glossed as cosmopolitanism. The Greek-speaking Christian Orthodox community (Rum Polites) is among the oldest in the urban society, yet their leading status during the centuries of imperial cosmopolitanism has faded. They have even been brought to the brink of disappearance in their home city. Scattered around the world as a result of the homogenizing tendencies of nationalism, the Rum Polites in the diaspora of Istanbul ("the City" or Poli) continue to identify with its cosmopolitan legacy, as vividly shown through their everyday practices of distinction and cultural memory. By exploring the shifting meaning of cosmopolitanism in spatial and temporal contexts, Diaspora of the City examines how experiences of forced displacement can highlight changing conceptualizations of what constitutes a local, diasporic, minority, or migrant community in different multicultural urban settings, past and present."-- Back cover Front Matter ....Pages i-xxv Introduction: Basics and Beginnings (İlay Romain Örs)....Pages 1-39 Cosmopolitan Knowledge: Impressions from Everyday Life in Athens (İlay Romain Örs)....Pages 41-66 Exclusive Diversity and the Ambiguity of Being Out of Place (İlay Romain Örs)....Pages 67-131 Resolutionary Recollections: Event, Memory, and Sharing the Suffering (İlay Romain Örs)....Pages 133-169 Capital of Memory: Cosmopolitanist Nostalgia in Istanbul (İlay Romain Örs)....Pages 171-206 Back Matter ....Pages 207-264