Balkan specialist Dr Pinar Cakiroglu will speak about the emergence of capitalism in the Balkans of the Ottoman era in this week’s online-lecture offered as part of the Greek History and Culture Seminars offered by the Greek Community of Melbourne (GCM).

In the seminar entitled Emergence of Capitalism in the Ottoman Balkans: The case of Greek industrialists in Salonica region, Dr Cakiroglu will look at the unique situation of the Ottoman empire between West and East as it sought to modernise and Westernise during the 19th Century.

The Ottoman Empire began attempts at modernisation in the late 18th century and became part of the empire’s official policies with the start of the Tanzimat (Reorganisation) era which began in 1839.

The Ottoman Empire’s geographical position in the world meant that 19th Century global capitalism played a role in the direction the empire took.

While the empire looked to Western Europe as its development model, the reforms it carried out in such a multi-faceted society were not always successful.

Dr Cakiroglu will look at the position of the empire within global capitalism throughout the 19th Century with particular emphasis on the industrial development of the Mount Vermion areas which is part of the hinterland of Thessaloniki.

She will focus of the story of how a group of emerging capitalists from the Greek Orthodox community turned the Mount Vermion area into one of the most important textile regions of the Ottoman empire. Mount Vermion.

Her lecture will also encompass the story of modernisation and economic development within the Ottoman empire during the 19th Century.

Dr Cakiroglu who lives in Mytilene graduated, with a B.Sc Economic from the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Turkey and carried out her post-graduate studies at the University of London where she received an MSc in Development Economics and a PhD in Economics. The dissertation for her doctorate was titled Industrialisation in provincial Macedonia in the late Ottoman Era: Economic, Social and Communal Factors.

She has has taught at the METU, SOAS-University of London and University of Erciyes. Her research is focussed on the economic, social history, political economy and long-term growth and development in the Balkans, Turkey and the Middle East.

What: Dr Pinar Cakiroglu will deliver and online-only seminar entitled Emergence of Capitalism in the Ottoman Balkans: The case of Greek industrialists in Salonica region as part of the Greek History and Culture series presented by the Greek Community of Melbourne.

When: 7pm, Thursday 9 June

Where: Online only via the Greek Community of Melbourne Facebook and Youtube channels.