IhaNeT - Identity, Nation and Treason in the Turkish Concept of Authority

ID Call: HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships

Sapienza's role in the project: Host Institution

Supervisor: Fabio Grassi

Fellow: Fulvio Bertuccelli

Department: History, Anthropology, Religion, Arts and Performing Arts 

Project start date: 01/11/2025

Project end date: 31/10/2028

Abstract:

IhaNeT is an interdisciplinary project that aims to produce a multidimensional history of treason (ihanet in Turkish) in its collective dimension, discussing its roots as a concept and its implications for understanding the construction of collective identities and thus political authority in Turkey. The idea behind this project is that a critical examination of the concept of treason, both in its legal and discursive dimensions, can shed light on the social dynamics, cultural traumas and memories that influenced power structures, authority, collective identities and their boundaries in Turkey between 1918 and 2016. This period was characterised by the collapse of the empire, a controversial process of nation building, military coups and authoritarian civilian regimes, which led to a constant redefinition of belonging to the national community.  Focusing on eight case studies from 1918 to 2016, IhaNeT explores the gallery of archetypes of treason in Turkish public discourse. By observing how the concept was imagined, discussed and constructed, IhaNeT investigates how the use of treason as a legal and discursive device has changed over time. It will also discuss whether and how it has become a constitutive model for the social exclusion of individuals and groups in different periods. The project will last 36 months and will take place at Sapienza University (supervisor Prof. Fabio Grassi). In addition, IhaNeT includes an outgoing phase at the University of Bern (Serena Tolino) and a secondment to the Hrant Dink Foundation in Istanbul (Prof. Ayhan Aktar).