Byzantine heritage in contemporary Turkey: Research features and political significance

The article considers the politics of memory Turkish government in relation to Byzantine heritage country and reaction states whose historical narrative identity are associated with Empire’s legacy. is based on a wide range sources Turkish, Greek, English Russian. authors believe that policy Islamization ideology neo-Ottomanism, which implemented by ruling AK Party under leadership President R.T. Erdogan, lead gradual dismantling remaining heritage, was proved transformation Monastery Choir Hagia Sophia into mosques. society, except for few dissidents many whom have already left country, does not show interest history Byzantium perceives party quite pragmatically, according opinion polls. international decisions restrained general did focus its role history. Thus, European politicians researchers criticized mainly anti-Western idea Erdogan’s actions rhetoric, while Greece fears mostly revival Ottoman imperialism legacy as part Hellenism. conclude it Russian society defined Erdogan destruction Eastern Orthodox civilization (primarily due position Church), made political discuss this issue at highest level. Moreover, dimension, Ankara’s consistent dismantle affects image state greater extent than Greece, determined sustainable perception Russia successor tradition.