Scholars from Yalova University, Istanbul University, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Moscow State University conducted extensive field research on the migration journey and cultural heritage of the Pomak communities, hosted by the Subaşı Oral History Working Group.
The Subaşı Oral History Working Group, which continues its work with the aim of preserving Yalova's cultural memory and passing it on to future generations, hosted an important international academic meeting. Scholars from leading universities in Turkey and Russia conducted extensive field research to examine the historical and cultural heritage of the Pomak communities who migrated to and settled in the region.
As part of the research, fieldwork was carried out in the villages of Sugören and Karamürsel Yalakdere in Yalova. The studies comprehensively addressed the historical background of the Pomaks, their migration processes from the Balkans to Anatolia, their linguistic characteristics, traditions and customs, food culture, and customs and traditions.
Through interviews conducted using oral history methods, experiences and social memory were recorded and transformed into scientific archival work. This marked an important step towards documenting the oral heritage of Pomak culture and contributing it to academic literature.
Following fieldwork, the scholar team participated in an extensive discussion in the village as guests of the Subaşı Oral History Working Group. The discussion covered the history of the village, the process of its establishment, the story behind the emergence of the Migration House, and the projects carried out by the group.
There was an exchange of ideas about practices to keep traditions alive, exhibition activities, and archival work. Positive assessments were made regarding increasing academic cooperation on the preservation of cultural heritage and its transfer to future generations.
The following scholars contributed to the study:
Prof. Dr. Elena Uzeneva (Russian Academy of Sciences)
Prof. Dr. Kseniya Klimova (Moscow State University)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Tanrıverdi (Istanbul University Faculty of Letters)
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Muhammed Ceyhan (Yalova University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences)
The Subaşı Oral History Working Group officials thanked the contributing scholars and emphasized that the positive views formed for future joint projects were promising for cultural studies.
It was stated that the efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of the region would continue to increase, and the message “We produce together, we record together, we preserve cultural memory” stood out.
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