Places Devoted to Collective Memory: Remembering and Forgetting Turan Emeksiz

Abstract

The fictions of collective memory about the past do not persist permanently; on the contrary, it is dynamic and constantly reproduced. Reconstructing the collective memory and keeping it alive can only be achieved by constructing the space in a way that feeds the collective memory. Therefore, one of the most important ways of intervening in collective memory is spatial arrangements. Turan Emeksiz, who died in the 28 April Incidents, one of the important social movements in Turkey's recent history, was acclaimed as “martyr” in the period following the 1960 Turkish Coup D'état and was systematically reminded to the society. In the 1970s, the state ended the commemoration ceremonies for Emeksiz, as he gradually turned into a symbol that reminds of the opposition. In the process initiated by the 12th of September, these memories on the place, which reminded the social movements, were erased. This study aims to analyze remembering and forgetting Emeksiz through space in terms of establishing a political relationship. In this context, the case analysis method was used. The study's main finding is that Emeksiz was included in the collective memory by burying his body in Anıtkabir, placing monuments and busts reminding him, and giving his name to various public spheres. Another significant finding is that the destruction of the mentioned places caused Emeksiz to be erased from the collective memory.