An exhibition breaking Ottoman taboo in Balkans

A Balkan Tale, namely, an exhibition consisting of photographs taken by five young photographers from the Balkan countries, was opened in Athens yesterday in cooperation with the Goethe Institute, European Union and the Greek Aenon Production. By displaying the works which were built during the Ottoman era, the exhibition shows how people from different religions and nations have lived together in harmony for centuries.  With the exhibition opened yesterday in the capital of Greece, long-lasting taboos about Ottoman Empire in the Balkans are broken. With photographs taken by Ivan Petrovic of Serbia, Kamilo Nollas of Greece, Jutta Benzerberg of Albenia, Ivan Blazhev of Macedonia and Samir Karahoda of Kosova, it is emphasized at the exhibition that the Ottoman culture should be preserved. A documentary on Ottoman culture which is entitled Forgotten Balkans was displayed at the exhibition, along with other works, including those built for Christian and Jewish communities during the period from Ottoman's conquest era to early years of 20th century. As part of exhibition, there are also efforts to reserve the idea of "Ottoman is bigotry", which has been considered as a general truth in the Balkan geography, with the help of the exhibition to which Tulay Artan and Halil Berktay from Sabanci University contributed in the capacity of history adviser.