The International Garp Ocakları Symposium Held in Çanakkale
Organized in cooperation with the Çanakkale Governorship, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (ÇOMÜ), and Piri Reis University, the International Garp Ocakları Symposium was held in Çanakkale between October 9–11 with a strong turnout.
Bringing together leading experts in the field, the first edition of the symposium revisited the history of the Ottoman-era Garp Ocakları (Western Provinces), re-evaluating it through rich archival materials and available historical sources.
In addition to Turkish scholars, many academics and maritime historians from Spain, Italy, Algeria, and Tunisiaparticipated, examining the Ottoman Empire’s maritime heritage in the Mediterranean from an international perspective.
The event was attended by Çanakkale Governor Assoc. Prof. Ömer Toraman, 22nd Chief of the Turkish Naval Forces Admiral (Ret.) Metin Ataç, ÇOMÜ Rector Prof. Dr. R. Cüneyt Erenoğlu, maritime historian Prof. Dr. İdris Bostan, IRCICA Deputy Director Prof. Dr. Cengiz Tomar, Piri Reis University Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Ziya Söğüt, Çanakkale Strait Commander Rear Admiral Mustafa Biçen, Gelibolu Historical Area President İsmail Kaşdemir, former General Director of Maritime Affairs Cemalettin Şevli, and Dean of ÇOMÜ Faculty of Marine Sciences and Technology Prof. Dr. Murat Yiğit.
During the two-day symposium, sessions were chaired by distinguished scholars such as Prof. Nasruddin Saidouni, Prof. Dr. Mehmet İpşirli, Torbjörn Odegaard, Prof. Dr. Mikail Acıpınar, Prof. Dr. Orhan Kılıç, Prof. Dr. Chakib Benafri, Prof. Dr. Feridun Emecen, Prof. Dr. Murat Karataş, Assoc. Prof. Fatma Şimşek, and Assoc. Prof. Özgür Kolçak, who shared significant insights into the history and influence of the Garp Ocakları.
The symposium highlighted the strategic importance of the Garp Ocakları in the Ottoman Mediterranean, emphasizing the need to expand academic research in this field and to institutionalize the event as a biennial scholarly platform.
The presented papers were compiled into a book edited by Prof. Dr. İdris Bostan, with contributions from IRCICA, and distributed to participants during the event.
At the conclusion of the symposium, the Çanakkale Governorship and the Historical Area Presidency, with support from the Çanakkale Strait Command, organized a cultural tour for local and international guests, including visits to Kilitbahir Castle, the Çanakkale Naval Museum, and the Çanakkale Strait.
