The Reverberating space of Izmir: Levantines’ interpenetrating homes

Abstract

This thesis is an attempt to understand the ways the Levantine community has formed relations to the Izmir’s city space since the inauguration of the Republic. While the Levantines, in the nineteenth century cosmopolitan Izmir, exerted a considerable influence on the city and were visible in its public space, they lost their effectuality in the nationalized city and receded into their introverted spaces. Levantines’ encounter with Turkish nationalism after the foundation of the Turkish Republic has altered their small community in significant ways. In my thesis, I explore the ambiguities and tensions that arise during this process and their effects on Levantines’ experiences of Izmir’s city space with the help of in-depth personal interviews. As Levantines try to get rid of the stigma of being a "stranger", they get enmeshed in Turkish nationalism. But to the extent that they are not encompassed by Turkish nationalism, they feel a longing for their community that is on the verge of extinction. Perpetually oscillating between being a "stranger" and being a "native", they emphasize being an "Izmirian" and their longstanding ties to the city, reclaiming belonging.