Izmir Economic Congress: The Visual Memory of Economic Independence

The Historical Album of the İzmir Economic Congress has Emerged

One of the most critical turning points in the history of the Republic, the 1923 İzmir Economic Congress, has long been associated with a lack of visual material. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Doğan Çetinkaya and his colleagues uncovered a special album containing over 60 photos related to the congress in the Anıtkabir Archive during their studies for the 100th anniversary of İş Bankası, shedding light on an important historical event.

This work, published under the title "Time for Economic Victory", has been made public for the first time in 102 years. Çetinkaya emphasized that these photographs provide a broad societal panorama encompassing not only state officials but also children waiting at booths, producers, and ordinary citizens.

An Important Message to Lausanne

The context in which the congress convened constitutes one of the most striking points of the study. The congress, gathered in İzmir which had turned into ruins after the fire, served as a response to the continuing capitulation discussions in Lausanne at that time. Çetinkaya evaluates this situation not as a "charming message" to the Western world, but as an economic independence stance against colonialism and imperialism.

The Active Role of Women in the Congress

The album also proves the density of female delegates and spectators present at the congress. Names like Hayriye, Emine, Şefike, and Rukiye Hanım, representing the labor (worker) group, not only participated but also stood out by making speeches at the podium. The photographs clearly demonstrate the wide audience of women who closely followed the congress.

Diplomacy and the Legacy of National Economy

The presence of Soviet Union Ambassador Aralov and Azerbaijan representative Abilov at the congress reflects the geopolitical balances of the period. Çetinkaya notes that the roots of the concepts of "National Economy" and "Domestic Production" go back to the 1908 Young Turk revolution, with the Kemalist period working to crown this legacy with an economic victory. He also emphasizes that the foundations of the now-known Izmir International Fair were laid with the "Meşher" (exhibition) opened within the scope of the congress.

The Misunderstood Famous Photograph

It has been clarified that the famous photograph, which has appeared in textbooks for centuries, featuring Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and Latife Hanım side by side, is not from the congress. Çetinkaya explained that this visual actually belongs to the Women’s Congress held a few weeks prior to the congress. In the newly discovered album, previously unknown reflex photographs of Mustafa Kemal Pasha in the congress hall are revealed for the first time.