16.03.2026 12:20
The first memorial ceremony for Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, who passed away at the age of 78, was held at Galatasaray University. One of his close friends, speaking at the ceremony, recounted Ortaylı's striking response to a Greek academic during a panel.
At the memorial ceremony held at Galatasaray University for the late Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, close friends shared their memories of the master historian.
Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, one of the world-renowned figures in Turkish historiography, passed away at the age of 78. His academic work, narrative of history, and contributions to social memory earned him the respect of a wide audience, and his death caused great sorrow in Turkey. The master historian is being bid farewell today (March 16) with the participation of state officials, academics, and his loved ones.
MEMORIAL CEREMONY AT GALATASARAY UNIVERSITY
The first ceremony held for İlber Ortaylı took place at Galatasaray University, where he worked for many years and continued his academic studies. The ceremony, which started at 11:00 AM, brought together Ortaylı's students, colleagues, and close friends.
HISTORICAL ADJUSTMENT BY A GREEK ACADEMIC
During the ceremony, a friend of Ortaylı shared a remarkable memory of the master historian from an academic panel.
His friend recounted that during the panel, a Greek academic continuously used the phrase "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" instead of simply saying "Macedonia" due to the name issue of Macedonia. Noting that Ortaylı did not remain indifferent to this situation, his friend conveyed the dialogue that took place:
"During the panel, a Greek academic kept saying 'Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia' instead of 'Macedonia' because of the name issue. The professor sitting next to me said, 'Let's see what I will do about this.' When it was his turn to speak, he said 'Former Ottoman Republic of Greece' instead of 'Greece.' In other words, he did not say Greece. He was someone who did not hold back his words."