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The fourth International Congress on Ottoman Studies (OSARK), one of the most prestigious global gatherings in the field of Ottoman history, opened on Friday at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.
Organized in partnership with Bogazici University and hosted by Ca’ Foscari University, the three-day congress brings together more than 200 scholars from 16 countries under the main theme “The Ottoman Mediterranean.”
The event follows previous OSARK meetings held in Sakarya (2015), Tirana (2018) and Istanbul (2022)—continuing the tradition of convening alternately in Türkiye and in countries historically linked with the Ottoman world.
The 2025 edition of OSARK explores the Mediterranean not merely as a geographical extension of the empire but as a central arena of political, cultural and economic interaction.
In a written statement to Anadolu Agency, Professor Arif Bilgin, head of OSARK, noted that the congress was launched in 2015 to provide an interdisciplinary platform for global dialogue among Ottoman scholars.
“By convening every three years—one in Türkiye and another in a country with historical ties to the Ottoman Empire—OSARK aims to bring Ottoman studies to an international level while strengthening a shared historical consciousness across societies of this region,” Bilgin said.
He emphasized that this year’s theme, “The Ottoman Mediterranean,” encourages participants to reassess the empire’s maritime connections, trade networks, urban culture and diverse identities that shaped the Mediterranean world.
“The Mediterranean was not only a geographical space for the Ottoman Empire but also a core of its political, economic and cultural interactions,” Bilgin added.
Venedik’s selection as the host city carries both symbolic and scholarly significance. The city maintained centurieslong relations with the Ottoman Empire, marked by competition, cooperation and cultural exchange.
Associate Professor Zahit Atcil, co-chair of OSARK 2025, underlined the importance of the event’s continuity: “After Sakarya, Tirana and Istanbul, gathering in Venice shows that OSARK has become an established academic platform within the international community.”
Associate Professor Vera Costantini, co-chair and faculty member at Ca’ Foscari University, said Venice represents “one of the most natural settings to understand the Ottoman Mediterranean,” expressing satisfaction in hosting the event.
“Our congress invites participants to rethink the Mediterranean’s multicultural past through diverse disciplinary perspectives. These dialogues open new horizons for Ottoman studies,” Costantini said.
The opening ceremony featured keynote addresses by British historian Philip Mansel, known for his works on Ottoman cities and dynastic culture, and Turkish scholar Nevin Ozkan, a leading expert on Ottoman–Italian literary and cultural relations.
The ceremony was attended by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Rome Elif Comoglu Ulgen, Consul General in Milan Mehmet Ozoktem and Bogazici University Rector Professor Mehmet Naci Inci.
Guests were treated to a kanun recital by Atilla Akinturk, performing compositions by Ottoman sultans, accompanied by traditional baklava and akide candy offerings.
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