The Istanbul Letters

The Istanbul Letters are a series of handwritten documents exchanged between Turkish intellectuals and reformers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They aimed to promote ideas of modernization, democracy, and social reform within the Ottoman Empire, reflecting debates on identity, governance, and progress. These letters played a significant role in shaping political thought and inspiring movements toward secularization and national identity in Turkey. They are considered important historical artifacts that reveal the hopes, challenges, and aspirations of a society navigating transformation during a period of significant change.