Old Istanbul Ramadans (Eski İstanbul Ramazanları) is a work of a memoiristic and social-historical nature, authored by Halit Fahri Ozansoy (1891-1971), one of the prominent poets and writers of the Fecr-i Âtî and Beş Hececiler (The Five Syllabists) periods. Published by Dergâh Publications as part of its "Anatolia Library" series, the book conveys in detail the Ramadan atmosphere, traditions, and social life of Istanbul in the final periods of the Ottoman Empire and the early years of the Republic, based on the author's own childhood memories and observations. First published in June 2014, the work is 120 pages long, and an expanded 2nd edition was published in June 2019.
Content and Thematic Structure
The work presents a detailed picture of old Istanbul's Ramadans through the personal memories of Halit Fahri Ozansoy. The book begins with the Ramadan preparations in the author's house on Çıkmaz Terazi Street, where he was born, and details the manner of welcoming this holy month, the customs within the family, and the traditional iftar tables. Subjects such as the Ramadan days in districts considered central to Istanbul at that time—like Vezneciler, Direklerarası, Eminönü, and Şehzadebaşı—evening entertainments, Tarawih prayers, the spiritual atmosphere of Laylat al-Qadr, and sahur times are extensively covered. Ozansoy also conveys, based on his observations, the social structure of the period, the neighborhood culture, neighborly relations, and the interactions of different minority communities with the month of Ramadan.
In the book, many traditional elements, from Ramadan drummers to mahya illuminators, from Karagöz and Hacivat to meddah (storyteller) performances, are presented to the reader, blended with the author's memories and anecdotes. In addition to autobiographical traces, it also contains information about figures from Halit Fahri's literary circle and about literary milieus. The work is more than just a book of memoirs; it has the character of a significant documentary that reflects the cultural and social changes of Istanbul during the transition process from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic, on the axis of Ramadan.
Language and Style
The language and style in Halit Fahri Ozansoy's “Eski İstanbul Ramazanları” are notable for the author's characteristic fluid and literary narrative. The book, written in a sincere and at times nostalgic tone, takes the reader on a tour through the streets of old Istanbul. While the author evokes the atmosphere of the period with his descriptions, he enriches the narrative with anecdotes and humorous stories. The sentences are generally plain and understandable, reflecting the elegant structure of the Istanbul Turkish of the period. Although subjective observations and memories are prominent, an effort has been made to maintain an objective framework when conveying Ramadan customs and the social structure. This style, which contains no promotional or laudatory language, reinforces the literary and cultural value of the work.
The Author's Position and the Significance of the Work
Halit Fahri Ozansoy is a prominent figure in Turkish literature, known especially for his poems and his adherence to the syllabic meter. “Eski İstanbul Ramazanları” demonstrates his skill not only as a literary figure but also as an observer and a memoirist. The book has the character of a historical document, as it offers firsthand information not only about personal memories but also about the social and cultural life of a recent past era. It is a particularly significant resource for researchers and readers who wish to trace the vanishing Ramadan traditions and the life of old Istanbul. The work also sheds light on the author's autobiographical and memoiristic works from the perspective of literary history.
