The Final Journey: Turkey Bids Farewell to Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı

Turkey mourns the loss of one of its most towering intellectuals, historians, and authors. Prof. Dr. İlber Ortaylı, who passed away at the age of 79 after receiving intensive care at Koç University Hospital, was honored today with a deeply emotional memorial service at Galatasaray University, followed by a funeral at the iconic Fatih Mosque.

The day’s ceremonies brought together the upper echelons of Turkish politics, academia, and journalism, reflecting the immense cultural impact of a man who didn’t just teach history—he made it a national passion.

A “History Poem” for a Master Historian

The memorial at Galatasaray University, where Ortaylı served as a faculty member, was marked by a poignant tribute. A special “Tarih Manzumesi” (Chronogram) was prepared in the Classical Ottoman tradition. Written by Mustafa Kara using the ebcet calculation and inscribed by calligrapher Mahmut Şahin, the plaque read:

“Prayers for the polymath historian, prayers for the one who knew East and West; a pen emerged and spoke of history, prayers for the late Mr. Ortaylı.”

This traditional gesture underscored Ortaylı’s unique status as a bridge between the Ottoman past and modern academic rigor.

“He Had More Life to Live”: Heartfelt Tributes

The most moving words came from his daughter, Tuna Ortaylı Kazıcı, who spoke of her father’s unquenchable thirst for life. She revealed that even in his final days in the hospital, Ortaylı was surrounded by dictionaries and newspapers, diligently proofreading his upcoming book.

“When I think about it, this man lived his life to the fullest but still couldn’t get enough of living,” she shared. “As his daughter, there were still many places to travel, much time to spend with his grandchildren, and many laughs to be shared.”

Long-time friend and colleague Prof. Dr. Celal Şengör was visibly shaken, describing Ortaylı as Turkey’s greatest intellectual. Similarly, journalist Fatih Altaylı expressed his deep personal loss, noting that he had recorded their final “gossip sessions” in the hospital as if sensing the end was near.

The “General Culture Rain”: İlber Ortaylı’s Academic Legacy

Colleagues at Galatasaray University described his classes as a “general culture rain.” Prof. Dr. Enis Tulça recalled İlber Ortaylı’s legendary wit, sharing an anecdote from a panel where Ortaylı countered a Greek academic’s terminology by cheekily referring to Greece as the “Former Ottoman Republic of Greece.”

Rector Prof. Dr. A. Muhammed Uludağ emphasized that Ortaylı’s greatest strength was his storytelling: “In this world, nothing is more powerful than a good story. He made the masses love history.”

Final Rest at Fatih Mosque

Following the university ceremony, İlber Ortaylı’s body was taken to Fatih Mosque for the funeral prayer following the afternoon (Asr) prayer. He is to be interred in the Fatih Mosque Burial Ground (Hazire), a prestigious final resting place.

Due to ongoing restoration work in the burial area, attendance at the graveside was limited to immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be made to the Turkish Education Foundation (TEV), ensuring his legacy of education continues.