Family houses that belong to underprivilaged Jews now belong to Turks

After 450 years, Jewish family houses (kortejo) that indicates a life style specific to Izmir have become shelter for underprivileged Izmirian families. Kortejos where Jews without means who have migrated from Spain used to live in by supporting each other to adapt themselves to their new lives are now a new place for deprived families, unfortunate, lonely, and lost people. Most of them have similar stories. Young, old, women, men, children who have had significant difficulties in their lives are now living in the same courtyard and trying to survive. These people's lives have a common space, as well as a common destiny; it shows the possibilities of the future for us…

These deserted last examples of the family houses that gain their meanings with the underprivileged Jewish people who were living inside are now telling different stories.

Jewish family houses (Yahudihane) are the witnesses of a 450 year history; it is a cultural heritage that is specific to Izmir. These important spaces that were somehow ignored and that we do not know much about now begins anew through the lens of Birol Uzmez, who is a member of İFOD and Simurgphotos. A common courtyard, a single entrance for security and control, common spaces like toilets, shower, kitchen, a shelter for people in need, and most importantly Jewish Spanish language (Ladino) that makes living together possible, common religious beliefs and traditions…These are some of the common features of Jewish family houses…Jews have left these houses in 1948 and they are now used by underprivileged Turks.

It is not possible to reach accurate information about these spaces that are not known to many Izmirians, about their number and their current owners. There is no doubt that this cultural heritage will attract attention by Birol Uzmez's photographs which brings them to Izmir's agenda again.


Birol Uzmez is a member of İfod and Simurgphotos; the real poverty stories that are reflected in his photos can be seen by photography and Izmir lovers in 7th of May, 2009, Thursday at 7pm in Izmir Sanat Oditoryum.

The recent history of Kortejos

It is thought that Izmir kortejos have started with the arrival of Spanish Jews in Izmir. It means that these kortejos exist for about 450 years. According to the interviews with some of the habitants of kortejos, these houses were used by Jewish people even in 1940's. However, the amount of kortejos has started to decrease in 19th century because Jews have moved to better houses for better living conditions. The first kortejos were shelter for Sephardic Jews who were in need. They had a common language, traditions, and foods. Kortejos, or Yahuthane as Izmirian people call it, were also secure places for people with different backgrounds. According to the expression of some old Jews, kortejos were emptied in the 50's. This situation can be explained by the fact that underprivileged Jewish people in Turkey have migrated to Israel in 1948. There were not many people wanting to live in such places anymore. There were more kortejos in Thessalonica than in Izmir where Jewish people were living. In recent years, Turkish people coming from the east started to settle in these houses. Migration in Turkey has gradually increased in Turkey starting from 50's until the 70's. Because of this reason, underprivileged Turkish immigrants have settled in these kortejos. The rents for the rooms are very low and living conditions are quite poor. It also means that protecting kortejos are no longer possible. Some kortejos give interesting although inadequate clues about old lifestyles. Most of the people who can give information on this subject have migrated to Israel.




You can click on to image, for the big size.

Türkçe Metin İçin TIKLA

Birol Üzmez

biroluzmez@gmail.com

http://www.simurgphotos.com/

GSM : 0 505 317 3001