Cultural Heritage and Social Memory in Turkey from the Perspective of Space and Memory

Mehmet Tayanç; Nadire Kaya

Article Details

Cultural Heritage and Social Memory in Turkey from the Perspective of Space and Memory

Authors:

Mehmet Tayanç | Nadire Kaya

Publisher:

Siirt University

Main Topics:

Kültür Sosyolojisi

Journal:

Fikriyat Vol.5 Issue 1, pp.56-65

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001354347

pISSN:

2791-7533

Keywords:

Abstract:

 There is a mutual and continuous interaction between culture, space and social memory. While culture plays a decisive role in the construction of space, space assumes an important function in the protection and transmission of cultural elements. This reciprocal relationship becomes visible in everyday life through tangible and intangible elements within the framework of the concept of cultural heritage. Cultural heritage is not only limited to physical spaces, but is also shaped through symbols, rituals and narratives that build the collective memory of societies. Monumental buildings, historical sites and memory sites, which have been transformed in the historical process, play a critical role as carriers of social memory. This study examines the place and importance of cultural heritage in the preservation of social memory in the context of the relationship between space and memory. It analyses how the relationship between space and memory has been shaped in different periods in Turkey and how this dynamic has changed over time. In addition, the effects of spatial transformation processes and cultural heritage protection policies on social memory are analysed and their determining role in forgetting and remembering practices is evaluated. As a result, it is revealed that space in Turkey is not only a physical entity, but also a dynamic structure intertwined with social identity and collective memory.

 There is a mutual and continuous interaction between culture, space and social memory. While culture plays a decisive role in the construction of space, space assumes an important function in the protection and transmission of cultural elements. This reciprocal relationship becomes visible in everyday life through tangible and intangible elements within the framework of the concept of cultural heritage. Cultural heritage is not only limited to physical spaces, but is also shaped through symbols, rituals and narratives that build the collective memory of societies. Monumental buildings, historical sites and memory sites, which have been transformed in the historical process, play a critical role as carriers of social memory. This study examines the place and importance of cultural heritage in the preservation of social memory in the context of the relationship between space and memory. It analyses how the relationship between space and memory has been shaped in different periods in Turkey and how this dynamic has changed over time. In addition, the effects of spatial transformation processes and cultural heritage protection policies on social memory are analysed and their determining role in forgetting and remembering practices is evaluated. As a result, it is revealed that space in Turkey is not only a physical entity, but also a dynamic structure intertwined with social identity and collective memory.

 There is a mutual and continuous interaction between culture, space and social memory. While culture plays a decisive role in the construction of space, space assumes an important function in the protection and transmission of cultural elements. This reciprocal relationship becomes visible in everyday life through tangible and intangible elements within the framework of the concept of cultural heritage. Cultural heritage is not only limited to physical spaces, but is also shaped through symbols, rituals and narratives that build the collective memory of societies. Monumental buildings, historical sites and memory sites, which have been transformed in the historical process, play a critical role as carriers of social memory. This study examines the place and importance of cultural heritage in the preservation of social memory in the context of the relationship between space and memory. It analyses how the relationship between space and memory has been shaped in different periods in Turkey and how this dynamic has changed over time. In addition, the effects of spatial transformation processes and cultural heritage protection policies on social memory are analysed and their determining role in forgetting and remembering practices is evaluated. As a result, it is revealed that space in Turkey is not only a physical entity, but also a dynamic structure intertwined with social identity and collective memory.

 Kültür, mekân ve toplumsal hafıza arasında karşılıklı ve sürekli bir etkileşim bulunmaktadır. Kültür, mekânın inşasında belirleyici bir rol oynarken, mekân da kültürel unsurların korunması ve aktarılmasında önemli bir işlev üstlenmektedir. Bu karşılıklı ilişki, kültürel miras kavramı çerçevesinde somut ve soyut unsurlar aracılığıyla gündelik yaşamda görünür hâle gelmektedir. Kültürel miras, yalnızca fiziksel mekânlarla sınırlı kalmamakta, aynı zamanda toplumların kolektif belleğini inşa eden semboller, ritüeller ve anlatılar yoluyla şekillenmektedir. Tarihsel süreç içerisinde dönüşüme uğrayan anıtsal yapılar, tarihî mekânlar ve hafıza mekânları, toplumsal belleğin taşıyıcısı olarak kritik bir rol üstlenmektedir. Bu çalışma, mekân ve bellek ilişkisi bağlamında kültürel mirasın toplumsal hafızanın korunmasındaki yerini ve önemini incelemektedir. Türkiyede farklı dönemlerde mekân ve hafıza arasındaki ilişkinin nasıl şekillendiği ve bu dinamiğin zaman içinde nasıl değişime uğradığı ele alınmaktadır. Bunun yanı sıra, mekânsal dönüşüm süreçlerinin ve kültürel miras koruma politikalarının toplumsal hafıza üzerindeki etkileri analiz edilerek, unutma ve hatırlama pratiklerindeki belirleyici rolü değerlendirilmektedir. Sonuç olarak, Türkiyede mekânın yalnızca fiziksel bir varlık olmadığı, aynı zamanda toplumsal kimlik ve kolektif bellekle iç içe geçmiş dinamik bir yapı sunduğu ortaya konmaktadır.

Article Details

Cultural Heritage and Social Memory in Turkey from the Perspective of Space and Memory

Authors:

Mehmet Tayanç | Nadire Kaya

Publisher:

Siirt University

Main Topics:

Kültür Sosyolojisi

Journal:

Fikriyat Vol.5 Issue 1, pp.56-65

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001354347

pISSN:

2791-7533

Space

Cultural Heritage

Memory

Social MemoryMekân

Kültürel Miras

Hafıza

Toplumsal Hafıza

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Mehmet Tayanç | Nadire Kaya

Publisher: Siirt University

Main Topics: Kültür Sosyolojisi

Journal: Fikriyat Vol.5 Issue 1, pp.56-65

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 6/2025

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001354347

pISSN: 2791-7533

Issues

Authors:

Mehmet Tayanç | Nadire Kaya

Publisher:

Siirt University

Main Topics:

Kültür Sosyolojisi

Journal:

Fikriyat Vol.5 Issue 1, pp.56-65

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2025

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001354347

pISSN:

2791-7533