Old Istanbul Ramadans (Book)

"Eski İstanbul Ramazanları" is a memoir and social history work written by Halit Fahri Ozansoy (1891–1971), a prominent poet and writer of the Fecr-i Âtî and Beş Hececiler periods, and published by Dergâh Yayınları as part of its "Anadolu Kitaplığı" series. The book draws on the author’s childhood memories and observations to vividly depict the Ramadan atmosphere, traditions, and social life of Istanbul during the final years of the Ottoman Empire and the early years of the Republic. First published in June 2014, the work spans 120 pages, and an expanded second edition was released in June 2019.

The book presents a vivid portrait of old Istanbul’s Ramadan through Halit Fahri Ozansoy’s personal recollections. It begins with preparations for Ramadan in the house where the author was born on Çıkmaz Terazi Street, detailing how the holy month was observed, family customs, and traditional iftar tables. The Ramadan days and evening festivities in central districts of the time—Vezneciler, Direklerarası, Eminönü, and Şehzadebaşı—are extensively covered, including tarawih prayers, the spiritual atmosphere of Laylat al-Qadr, and the pre-dawn sahur hours. Ozansoy also captures the social structure of the era, neighborhood culture, neighborly relations, and the interactions of various minority communities with Ramadan, all grounded in his own observations.

Throughout the book, numerous traditional elements—from Ramadan drummers and mahya illuminations to Karagöz and Hacivat shadow plays and meddah storytelling—are woven together with the author’s anecdotes and humor to engage the reader. In addition to autobiographical traces, the work offers insights into literary figures and cultural circles known to Halit Fahri. Far from being merely a memoir, the book serves as an important documentary record of Istanbul’s cultural and social transformations during the transition from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic, viewed through the lens of Ramadan.

The language and style of Halit Fahri Ozansoy’s "Eski İstanbul Ramazanları" stand out for their distinctive fluidity and literary quality. Written in a warm, occasionally nostalgic tone, the book invites readers on an immersive stroll through the streets of old Istanbul. The author successfully evokes the atmosphere of the era through rich descriptions, enriched further by anecdotes and witty tales. Sentences are generally simple and clear, reflecting the elegant structure of Istanbul Turkish of the period. While subjective observations and personal memories dominate, the author strives to maintain an objective framework when portraying Ramadan customs and social structures. This style, devoid of advertising or praise, strengthens the literary and cultural value of the work.

Halit Fahri Ozansoy is a significant figure in Turkish literature, particularly known for his poetry and commitment to the syllabic meter. "Eski İstanbul Ramazanları" reveals not only his literary persona but also his skill as an observer and memoirist. The book offers firsthand accounts of the social and cultural life of a recent past, granting it the status of a historical document. For researchers and readers seeking to trace the fading customs of Ramadan and the vanished ways of old Istanbul, it is an invaluable source. The work also sheds light on Ozansoy’s contributions to autobiographical and memoir literature within the context of Turkish literary history.