Özet:

Istanbul Letters is a travel writing in which Tatar theater writer and journalist Galiesgar Kamal describes the events of the Balkan War in 1912-1913 and the events in Istanbul. The author comes to Istanbul to report back to the Tatar press by following the Balkan War closely and he witnesses the events what happened here. The writer starts his journey in Kazan, passes through Moscow and Odessa cities, from there he reaches Istanbul. Galiesgar Kamal, in his writings, along with documenting his observations of Istanbul during the Balkan War, he tried to deliver interesting and wondered subjects about Ottoman life for the Tatar reader. The author witnesses the Government Coup incidents that took place on 23 January 1913 while he was in Istanbul and tries to document the incident thoroughly. At the same time, the author talks about the reforms and changes that took place in the Ottoman Empire. It underlines the importance of these reforms and the renewal process for Turkish society. Unfortunately, he stayed in Istanbul for only a few months due to unexpected illness, compelling him to seek treatment returning to hometown. During his stay in Istanbul, he wrote 12 letters which were published in Yoldız Newspaper where Galiesgar Kamal worked. In these letters, Galiesgar Kamal described in detail the conflictual domestic policy of the state, the patriotic feelings of the Turks, and the social life and culture of the society. During his Istanbul trip, the author met the new culture and lifestyle; he had also the opportunity to compare them with his own cultural elements. This article, which is discussed within the scope of the Comparative Literature approach, reveals the contribution of the Istanbul Letters of Tatar writer G. Kamal to the recognition and interaction of the Tatar and Turkish societies.