The congress, which was planned to be held in Istanbul in 2021, was taken to Italy by the central committee when the Hagia Sophia Mosque was opened. Half of the congress papers to which 61 academicians from Turkey will present papers are researches on Istanbul. The opening session of the congress, which will continue until August 27, was held at La Fenice Theatre.
CHURCHES IN FATIH NEIGHBORHOODS ARE SHOWED ON MAPS
In the opening speech, Prof. Dr. Nevra Necipoğlu from Boğaziçi University and Professor of Byzantine History, Paul Magdelino from Koç University also presented a paper. Nevra Necipoğlu, who gave information about Byzantine monasteries, shared the number of households and churches and monasteries in Istanbul neighborhoods in 1455. Necipoğlu showed the churches in Fatih neighborhoods on maps, and gave examples of Byzantine structures such as the Molla Fenari Mosque, whose restoration was completed.
The 24th International Byzantine Congress, seen as the Academic Crusade, started in Venice. The congress planned to be held in Istanbul in 2021, it was taken to Italy by the central committee when Hagia Sophia was opened. Half of the congress papers to which 61 academicians from Turkey will present papers are researches on Istanbul. The opening session of the congress to be held between August 22-27 was held at La Fenice Theatre. In the opening speech, Prof. Dr. Nevra Necipoğlu from Boğaziçi University and Professor of Byzantine History, Paul Magdelino from Koç University also presented a paper.
HAGIA SOPHIA CANNOT BE INGESTED
Nevra Necipoğlu, who gave information about the late Byzantine monasteries, shared the number of households and churches and monasteries in Istanbul neighborhoods in 1455. Necipoğlu showed the churches in Fatih neighborhoods on maps, and gave examples of Byzantine structures such as the Molla Fenari Mosque, whose restoration was completed. Necipoğlu, expressing his sadness and concerns about the removal of Hagia Sophia from the museum, wished to organize a congress in Istanbul in the future.
JOHN HALDON: “WE ARE HERE FOR REVIVING BYZANTINE”
International Byzantine Foundation President John Haldon, in his opening speech, interpreted the opening of Hagia Sophia as a mosque as dangerous and alarming. He said that he saw the Byzantine studies as a new bridge in the world and a great step for the revival of Byzantine civilization. Stating that Byzantine studies are getting faster with digital arguments, Haldon said, "We immortalize the codes of the past through the digital world."
MAGDELINO: “WE GATHERED FOR CRUSADE AT THE LAST TIME”
Paul Magdelino, Professor of Byzantine History at Koç University, said, “The last time so many people related to Byzantium were gathered in Venice 800 years ago. It was for the 4th Crusade…” These words of Magdelino caused laughter in the hall and were applauded for a long time.
THEY REVIVE BYZANTINE WITH DRAWINGS
One of the keynote speakers, Prof. Dr. Albert Berger, on the other hand, stated that he was happy to be in Venice, which is called the second Byzantine, and showed the new Byzantine drawings he made in Istanbul. The Byzantine mappings prepared by Berger on Fatih, who gave information about the prehistoric architecture of Çemberlitaş's 13th century, drew attention. Berger, the architect of byzantium1200.com, said that similar studies continue in the Balkans and in Jerusalem.