Organised by Beirut Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, “Lebanon After Reforms” conference was given by Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı in University of Lebanon.

Ortaylı visited Beirut Yunus Emre Enstitüsü before the conference and listened to Turkish lesson for foreigners alongside students.

Turkish Ambassador to Beirut Çağatay Erciyes, Beirut Office of Mufti Representative, Undersecretary of Education for Prime Minister Tamam Salam, faculty members from various universities, cultural foundations in Beirut and students attended the conference.

In the event held on May 6^th 2016, common history with Lebanon was underlined and it was marked that by collaboration of Yunus Emre Enstitüsü and University of Lebanon, the sense for true history can be revived and this is only possible if Lebanese academicians in training learn Turkish.

Prof. Dr. Ortaylı who emphasised the influence of the new construction in the Ottoman after 1839 on Lebanon, stated that the modernisation that gained speed with Reforms was felt more strongly in Lebanon with a rich religious structure. Ortaylı addressed that Ottoman introduced Lebanon to international educational institutions, and spoke as follows: “Us bringing a modern system here was not an accident or coincidence. Cebeli Lebanon region extends over a broad area between the Maronite and Druze. This led to an international intervention. Following this intervention, modern Ottoman understanding built a new structure for this country. This was Cebeli Lebanon Governorship.”

Ortaylı, telling that Turkish and Arabic are similar and the historians in the two countries should learn the other language, illuminated the audience with the following instance: “Turkish may appear as a difficult language however it is a misconception. It is not difficult for Arabs at all. The structure is similar. It can be learnt and spoken, and there are people who learn it. It is known that Ahmet Haşim learned Turkish the best. He is originally from Baghdad and he is one of the best Turkish writers and poets.”

Beirut Ambassador Erciyes addressed the following on the conference and the history of the two nations: “One cannot learn Lebanese history without checking Ottoman archives and studying Ottoman State. Professor İlber gave a fine example to it today and shed light on numerous unknown aspects of Lebanese history particularly in 18^th and 19^th centuries, after the Reforms. This was a very helpful conference in that sense.”

Event ended following the gift presentation and treats.