BABSON PROFESSOR/RESEARCHER PROMOTES PHOTO EXHIBIT OF CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN TURKEY

Babson College Athletics News
urkey3-08-ns.cfm

March 3 2008
MA

Babson History and Society professor Lisa DiCarlo is researching
reactions to a photo exhibit of the diverse cultures of Turkey that is
traveling through Turkey, Europe and the U.S. Reactions are noteworthy
since most citizens of Turkey are encouraged to consider themselves
‘of one kind,’ rather than a country of many traditions.

The exhibit, from the book Ebru: Reflections of Cultural Diversity
in Turkey, by Attila Durak, is a photographic journey by Durak who
is native Turk, a U.S. citizen, and who lives in both Istanbul and
New York.

In her article, DiCarlo writes of the significance of Durak’s
project at this time because of Turkey’s minority problems, and the
international attention it is attracting for human rights violations
in anticipation of qualifying for membership in the European Union.

DiCarlo’s academic research has been focused on Muslim to Christian
religious conversions in Turkey, where she spent several months
last year studying Christian converts’ decision-making processes and
subsequent social consequences. Durak’s exhibit lends itself to her
study and interest in identity politics, forming a natural path for
both to pursue their areas of expertise.

Durak’s exhibit opened in New York City last May, followed by a
Turkish debut opening attended by thousands in Istanbul last June.

Durak is currently in dialogue with an Armenian non-profit organization
in Yerevan that is interested in bringing the exhibit to Armenia. It
is also expected to appear in Moscow, Frankfurt – at the Frankfurt
Book Fair in October where the theme is Turkey – and tentatively in
Memphis, Tennessee at their Memphis in May Festival, where, again,
Turkey is the theme.