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Ottoman Synagogue Money and Jewish Printing in the Ottoman Empire

The Money of Ottoman Synagogue, 19th century, Ashkenaz Synagogue (Tunc Buyurgan, Aykiri Paralar)

The use of paper money (Kaime) during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Abdulaziz (1867-1876) was unsuccessful. In the following years, on the eve of the Ottoman-Russian war, the provision of funding requirements made it necessary for Sultan Murat V to attempt to establish its use again. The Sultan announced the Kaime Regulation to restart printing kaime on August 6th, 1877. However, the new Kaimes were not exchanged for gold and silver. The value of the paper currency began to fall and the public lost confidence in using Kaimes.

August 18, 2009
Published in Culture & Art

Beyond Babylon Exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum

A globalizing world, developing trade routes, and communication networks connecting these to the world... Every type of product and merchandise that you can think of can be marketed to the four corners of the globe. Today these things are normal and common... But 4000 years ago, what kind of goods were used in trade between civilizations, and how were they transported?

January 6, 2009
Published in Culture & Art

Road to the Grammys: Fahir Atakoglu's Album Hits the Charts

Fahir Atakoğlu’s new album “Istanbul in Blue” is being picked up by many radio stations across the USA and the list is growing. Atakoğlu’s fans have sent thousands of email requests to XM Radio to listen his latest album.

June 15, 2008
Published in Culture & Art

Hollywood Needs a Turkish Story

The Turkish image in Hollywood has revolved around movies with no artistic value but which were used to spread propaganda such as “Midnight Express”, directed by Oliver Stone, or “Laurence of Arabia” and “Ararat”. The Turkish characters are shown only when there is a need for an evil Middle Easterner in a scene or when a villain is needed for a fight scene with the main character.