Prominent historian and author Ilber Ortaylı participated in “Poland-Turkey Relations from Turkish Historian’s Perspective Conference” which took place in Warsaw. Ortaylı summarized processes Poland-Turkey relations went through throughout the history in the Conference organized by Turkish Warsaw Embassy and Yunus Emre Institute in Great Assembly Hall of Royal Castle.
Prof. Dr. Ilber Ortaylı in his presentation, which he made in English, stated that it was an honor for him to tell the history between two countries and expressed his gratitude.
Ortaylı also gave some details from the history of over 600 years old relations between two countries by saying ” On the middle of Central Anatolia there is a graveyard next to the ruins of Roman Emperor Caracalla’s bath houses. You can see tombstones of British, French, Italian as well as Polish merchants. At the beginning of their careers, Polish merchants didn’t only trade in Anatolia but also in Bursa. Thus, Turks had the chance to know and own products from this country”.
In his statement to AA reporter after the conference, he expressed that he was very pleased to attract great interest from Polish people and historians by saying ” I am delighted because they are so much interested in matters about Turks”.
Ortaylı also mentioned Istanbul Photographs Exhibition organized by Turkey’s Warsaw Embassy and added that Yunus Emre Institute has a project about establishing a center in Warsaw by saying “There is a great demand for Turkish language. I hope all these projects can be completed and more conferences can be organized”.
Turkey’s Warsaw Ambassador Tunç Üğdül stated that there have been good relations between Turkey and Poland for 600 hundred years and the foundations of these relations were established during Ottoman Empire’s period between Polish people visiting Ottoman lands and young Turks.
Üğdül also gave information about Polonezköy in Beykoz district of Istanbul, which was previously named Adampol, stating that Turkish citizens of Polish origin reside in this place peacefully.