Prof. Dr. Cemal Kafadar
Prof. Dr. Cemal Kafadar is one of the most distinguished historians of Ottoman and Turkish history, known for his profound and humanistic approach to the past. Currently serving as the Vehbi Koç Professor of Turkish Studies at Harvard University, Kafadar has dedicated his career to exploring the complexities of Ottoman society, culture, and identity — always with a particular sensitivity to the texture of everyday life and the lived experience of people across centuries.
Born in Istanbul, Kafadar’s connection to the city is both intellectual and emotional. His scholarship often returns to Istanbul not merely as a subject of study, but as a deeply personal landscape — a city that embodies the crossroads of empires, religions, and cultural traditions. For Kafadar, Istanbul represents far more than a historical capital of the Ottoman Empire; it is a living organism where layers of memory, architecture, and human experience coexist and speak to one another.
His works, such as “İki Cihan Âresinde: Osmanlı Devleti’nin Kuruluşu Üzerine” (Between Two Worlds: The Construction of the Ottoman State) and “Kendine Ait Bir Roma: Diyar-ı Rum’da Kültürel Coğrafya ve Kimlik Üzerine” (A Rome of One’s Own), exemplify his distinctive style — combining meticulous historical research with literary depth and philosophical reflection. In these writings, Kafadar not only examines the historical evolution of societies within the Ottoman realm but also invites readers to think about identity, belonging, and transformation — themes that are deeply connected to the story of Istanbul itself.
Kafadar’s love for the city is also reflected in his essays, lectures, and interviews, where he often describes Istanbul as a city of contradictions and continuities — both melancholic and vibrant, old and ever-renewing. He draws attention to its neighborhoods, its street life, and its people, viewing them as living archives of history. For him, the beauty of Istanbul lies not only in its monuments or imperial past but in the everyday gestures and stories that have shaped its soul over centuries.
Through his work, Kafadar bridges the gap between the scholar and the storyteller. His Istanbul is not frozen in nostalgia, but alive — a city that continues to inspire curiosity, creativity, and reflection. Whether writing about early Ottoman frontiers or modern urban identities, Kafadar consistently reminds his readers that history is not only a matter of dates and events, but also of emotions, imagination, and love for the places that shape who we are.
Cemal Kafadar delivers a lecture at Istanbul’s urban gardens against the destruction of this centuries-old value
I have great respect for Kafadar, as he has been actively involved in social movements in Istanbul, such as the Gezi Protests and the Boğaziçi University Resistance, which has been ongoing for years. He has also been very vocal against the destruction of Istanbul’s urban gardens and the construction of the new Galata Bridge, which threatens to ruin the silhouette of the Golden Horn.
Yedikule Urban Gardens which still stand the test of time, partially due to the efforts of Kafadar who organised a movement to protect Istanbul’s urban gardens
I would highly recommend all lovers of Istanbul to follow Kafadar to learn more about this majestic city and draw inspiration from his views and depth of knowledge!
Kafadar at the Direnen Akademi (Defiant Academy) organised by Boğaziçi University Resistance
Lend an ear to Kafadar on the multi-perspectival city of Istanbul.
