İstanbul Markets throughout History

Ayfer Yavi started her professional career as an archaeologist primarily working on dig sites in places such as Perge and Enez. During her time as an archaeologist, Yavi developed a deep passion for food due to her close contact with wine amphoras, food container, and glassware she discovered. However, Yavi was only able to work as an archaeologist for 5 years in order to take over her family advertising business, where she worked for 20 years. Throughout the years, Yavi has maintained her love for food and marketplaces. After her job in advertising, Yavi has written for food magazines, and had a radio show on “Açık Radyo”. After establishing Slow Food’s “Yağmur Böreği” convivium, she started working on protecting the marketplaces around Turkey.  Through her efforts, she has compiled a great deal of documentation based on her talks with the buyers and sellers in different marketplaces.

Mrs. Yavi started her presentation by talking about old Byzantine marketplaces, and how one of the oldest was located Mese Street, which is now on the current tramline that passes from Sultanahmet going towards Beyazıt. Moving on to the Ottoman period, Yavi gave detailed information about tax systems, the organization of tradesmen, and guild systems. Mrs. Yavi also talked about types of marketplaces and products sold in these marketplaces all throughout the history and up to current day.

After the seminar, participants enjoyed some market delicacies such as grilled chestnuts, “Köfte”(ground beef patty) sandwich, “helva” (crushed sesame seeds), orange juice, pickle juice, börek (savory pastry) and rolled grape leaves, all prepared by NAR Restaurant. 

29 January 2015

Lecture video is in Turkish.