Systematic Classification of Journals Project (MESTAP)

The Systematic Classification Project of Mecmualas (MESTAP) is an initiative developed to systematically classify Ottoman poetry compendia and make them accessible to researchers. Launched in 2012 under the leadership of Professor Dr. Mehmet Fatih Köksal, the project holds fundamental reference value for literary history and cultural studies, as mecmualas contain significant data as both sources and complementary elements of classical Turkish literature.

The primary aim of MESTAP is to classify the contents of mecmualas held in public and private libraries through detailed tables and present them to researchers via a database. This enables rapid access to information about the contents of poetry compendia, prevents redundant research, and facilitates more accurate assessments of literary history.

Mecmualas are not merely literary texts; they also contain prayers, talismans, folk medicine, folkloric materials, and records of historical events. For this reason, the project contributes significantly to revealing the multidimensional nature of cultural memory.

• 2011: A workshop titled “Mecmua: The Treasure Chest of Ottoman Literature” was held, emphasizing the importance of mecmua studies.
• 2012: MESTAP was officially introduced and its foundations laid at the workshop “Treasures of Ottoman Poetry: Mecmualas and Cönkler”.
• 2017: A second major workshop was held in Ankara, updating and expanding the project.
• 2023: The III. MESTAP Workshop was conducted, bringing new contributions to the project through graduate education programs.

Under MESTAP, mecmualas are classified according to a standardized table. This table includes elements such as the title of the work, the library where it is held, its inventory number, the poet’s name, and details of the poems. This method allows researchers to easily identify what types of studies have been conducted on which mecmualas. Additionally, the project has guided graduate theses, leading to the preparation of numerous master’s and doctoral studies within its framework.

MESTAP draws attention in the field of classical Turkish literature through the following functions:

• Creating a bibliographic inventory of mecmualas,
• Providing a standardized methodology for academic research,
• Preventing duplication of studies,
• Fostering collaboration among researchers,
• Systematically bringing to light the written memory of Turkish culture.