Associate Professor Dr. Mehmet Ali Kapar, a faculty member of our department, participated in a talk titled "A Journey to Karaman Through the Eyes of Travelers" as part of the Teacher Academies Event in Karaman.
Organized by the Karaman Provincial Directorate of National Education, the Teacher Academies initiative, aimed at contributing to the cultural and intellectual development of educators, added yet another enriching event to its repertoire. This week’s program featured a compelling discussion tracing Karaman’s history through historical documents.
The event, held at the Gazi Culture and Art Center, featured Associate Professor Dr. Mehmet Ali Kapar from Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University and Rukiye Can, a history teacher at the 15 July Martyr Muhammed Yalçın Girls’ Anatolian Imam Hatip High School and a master’s student, as speakers.
In his presentation, Dr. Kapar explored the etymology and historical evolution of the concepts of “travel” and “traveler,” noting that these terms signify not only physical journeys but also the transmission of knowledge and culture. He stated, “The term ‘traveler’ derives from the imagery of flowing water, symbolizing the circulation of ideas. In the Middle Ages, many travelers embarked on journeys driven not only by personal curiosity but also by the intelligence-gathering needs of states.”
Highlighting the use of travelers by European powers for espionage activities prior to the Crusades to gather information about Anatolia, Dr. Kapar emphasized that the observations of these travelers provide invaluable data for contemporary historians.
Dr. Kapar also underscored the significance of travelogues as historical sources, stating, “To understand a society’s way of life, urban fabric, and traditions, we must turn to the travelogues written by travelers of the period. These works are not merely travel narratives but also sociological, cultural, and economic analyses of their time.”
Noting that Karaman has long attracted the attention of travelers throughout history, Dr. Kapar referenced accounts from figures such as Evliya Çelebi, Ibn Battuta, 19th-century European travelers, and Ottoman bureaucrats, which document the city’s architecture, social structure, and more.
During the talk, history teacher Rukiye Can shared insights from her master’s thesis, which involves a comparative analysis of Karaman’s depictions in travelogues. She remarked, “Travelers described Karaman variously as a transit point, a place of lodging, or a significant cultural center. The details they provided about the city’s social life, architecture, and the hospitality of its people are invaluable for historians.”
Can further emphasized that travelogues are indispensable resources for young historians seeking to understand how Karaman was perceived historically. The event concluded with an interactive session where teachers posed questions and shared their perspectives with the speakers. The program ended with Hasan Erkan, the Karaman Teacher Academies Provincial Coordinator, presenting a gift to Dr. Kapar, followed by a group photo.
The event brought Karaman’s historical and cultural heritage to the forefront, offering participants rich and insightful content. By shedding light on the city’s past, the talk facilitated a deeper understanding among educators of the region’s cultural values. Beyond contributing to teachers’ professional development, the event highlighted Karaman’s historical significance.
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