The participants of the Project 1453, during the finale of the Keynote Address
(Mehter, The New Varangian Guard and the Byzantine Choir).

On the 29 May 1453 the Fall of Constantinople/ Conquest of Istanbul brought to a close the 1,123 year history of the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire.

At the same time it provided a new capital for the emerging Ottoman Empire which survived for nearly another 500 years. This date has enormous historical, emotional, spiritual and cultural significance for Greek and Turkish people. It is widely recognized as a turning point in world history.

Project 1453 was born as an idea between three friends in Melbourne, Australia who decided to commemorate the 550th anniversary of the events of 1453. The project brought together a series of lectures, presentations, displays and innovative performances exploring the rich cultural, historical, political, religious, artistic, military and social legacies of these two extraordinary empires and their faiths - Christianity and Islam.

This initiative presented a multitude of different voices and views. The various perspectives on these legendary Empires were presented in a peaceful, respectful and non-militant manner. The stated objectives of Project 1453 remained unchanged to the conclusion of the Symposium and were largely achieved:

· To mark this important historical event involving the people on whom it had the most impact, bringing interested parties together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and common interest in history.

· To explore the historical events, outcomes and implications of the East Roman/ Byzantine and the Ottoman periods to the peoples of that specific and broader regions.

· To promote and popularize the study of history and expose audiences to a variety of informed opinions and academic views.

· To further mutual understanding between the Greek and Turkish communities in Australia and engender a spirit of goodwill, understanding and reconciliation.

Project 1453, a symposium held over the weekend of 31 May and 1 June 2003 at the Australian Catholic University in Melbourne featured a balanced programme of Christian and Islamic perspectives. A critical success factor was the idea of the commemoration of the historical event rather a joyful celebration or a mournful remembrance. The weekend symposium involved 21 main presentations and about 100 presenters and performers, mostly in historical costumes. People and Place, Perspectives and Performances, Pilgrimage and Philosophies emerged as the key themes.

A feature article in Neos Kosmos, Melbourne's leading Greek language newspaper by Dean Kalimniou was vital in attracting Greek participation:

"Project 1453 is unprecedented in the annals of our community history. It concentrates on an aspect of our history which is not only crucial to understanding who we are and why we are the way we are and ditto for our neighbors, but when all is said and done, we seem to know not much about and ignore. Our Byzantine past is seldom showcased in this country and similarly, Ottoman culture, except of its negative aspects, a vibrant and fascinating culture in its own right, is seldom proffered so freely, without bias or political motive to a Greek audience than now."

In Radikal newspaper in Turkey on 6 April 2003, Haluk Sahin, a columnist for the newspaper applauded the intiative of Project 1453 thus:

"After 550 years, Turks and Greeks living in Melbourne have decided to do something that seemed impossible but which should have been done a long time ago. Traditionally, Turks have celebrated the 29th of May. For Greeks however, this is a day of mourning. At last some people from the other end of the world have found the courage to ask themselves the following question: "After 550 years, hasn't the time to get over the "celebration-mourning" and "conquest- fall" antitheses come?" Why should 1453 still be used as an instrument of hatred, enmity and to keep alive suffering? Why shouldn't the past and current owners of this unique city come together and transform the event into one of mutual pride? In spite of objections from chauvinists of both side it is a program reflects the view above. I see the symposium on 31 May-1 June in Australia as an example for others. I wish we could do same thing in Istanbul. Isn't it the time?"

Beyond Islam and Orthodox Christianity, the inclusion of Catholic, Jewish, Protestant and other perspectives was a natural extension of the programme and momentum grew when the city of Constantinople/ Istanbul itself took centre stage as a feature, alongside issues of faith and history. When historical re-enactment groups offered to perform such as the Ottoman Military Band of Australia, the Mehter Band (the only one outside Turkey) and the New Varangian Guard based on the Bodyguard Corp of the Byzantine Imperial family, an exceptional and unusual cultural programme took shape.

The New Varangian Guard with the Byzantine Icon
Collection by the Otira Icon School in the background.

The Organising Committee comprised of three individuals ~ Dr. Susan Aykut, Mr. Paul Kavanagh and Mr. Terry Papadis ~ who come from academic, government and business backgrounds respectively. The vision was common, while their different but complementary interests, contacts and expertise drove the project.

The imprimatur of UNESCO's Culture of Peace programme gave the project international standing and strengthened the Committee's determination to rise above nationalist agendas. Furthermore the Iraq war intensified their resolve to bring Islamic, Christian and other communities together for constructive, peaceful dialogue and understanding.

Participants chose from up to three alternative concurrent sessions. The enthusiasm and generosity of people presenting, performing and supporting the project was remarkable. All donated their services voluntarily and free of charge towards promoting better understanding of faith, history and heritage. All presenters promoted goodwill and harmony between ethnic and religious communities.

The participants formed a unique network of people from diverse backgrounds. Their leadership, in respecting each other's views and feelings, was the hallmark of this project. As was expected, some views expressed were challenging. However, the event was peaceful and stimulating for the approximately 450 people who attended.

Project 1453 consolidated Melbourne's rich cultural diversity and its reputation as a centre for creative and intellectual pursuits.

Melbourne was the ideal place to host this unique event. Melbourne has the largest population of both Greeks and Turks in Australia and arguably the third largest population of Greeks in the world, after Athens and Melbourne's sister city, Thessaloniki. Strong support has emerged to make Istanbul a sister city to Melbourne.

Mehter and the New Varangian Guard at Flinder's Street Station in Melbourne.

A key feature of the Project 1453 programme was the cooperation and enormous goodwill between Greek and Turkish Australians. Another feature was the crossover of presentations. For example a young Greek engineer spoke of the importance of saving and restoring Ottoman monuments in Greece in a joint presentation with a young Turkish Australian who spoke about the preservation of Byzantine monuments in Turkey. In the Arts Programme, a Muslim read from the Holy Bible and a Christian read from the Holy Koran.

Project 1453 attracted enormous publicity including two one-hour broadcasts on ABC Radio National, Australia's national broadcaster and a full page colour spread in The Age, Melbourne's leading daily newspaper, as well as front page articles in the Greek and Turkish language newspapers. The coverage was overwhelmingly positive.

Following the event the organisers were inundated with congratulatory e-mails from participants and presenters for the highly innovative and inspiring goodwill programme. The UNESCO / Culture of Peace representative, Mr Richard Fletcher, was equally effusive in his praise.

Mr. Salih Özkara, an Australian Turk who attended the symposium published his views on Project 1453 in Melbourne Turkish language press. These are some of his comments:

"This is certainly a brief review of highlights of this extraordinary event Project 1453. The Organisers and the sponsors gave us Melbournians something very special. They gave us their time, energy and creativity.  They also gave us something very rare, a glimpse of what truly lies in their hearts. Constantinople/ Istanbul 'The City of the World's Desire'. These are the observations of an individual and do not necessarily represent the opinions of any community group. Also, as the symposium ran three presentations at the same time, it was only possible to attend one. As a result, the comments are limited to those presentations attended. Thank you Susan, Paul and Terry. We shall never be able to repay you for bringing us such a wonderful event. The organisation was superb - they thought of everything from parking, refreshments, public transport, multi media to high-level publicity.

The publication, Project 1453 was also superb. A 32 page document presented to all on arrival. It contained their story, background information, notes on participants and sponsors. The publication also contained letters of support from institutions. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, Australian Islamic Social Association, Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, World Peace 2000 International and the Association for Byzantine Studies."

On the Keynote Address, which recounted the events of the 29th of May 1453, Mr. Özkara had this to say:

1) Keynote Speaker Terry Papadis with Mehter at Project 1453
2) The second keynote speaker Dr. Susan Aykut with Mehter at Project 1453.

"The Grand Finale: Keynote Address - 29 May 1453
Dr Susan Aykut, Terry Papadis and Paul Kavanagh slowly but surely built the momentum to 29 May 1453 when Sultan Mehmet II ordered his troops to take Constantinople in one final assault. Susan spoke of the 200,000 strong Ottoman army at the gates of Istanbul. Serb, Croat, Bohemian, Greek and other mercenaries constituted 40% of Mehmet's army. She told of Ulubatli Hasan fighting his way up the impregnable Theodosian walls. Despite being speared with 26 arrows, this giant soldier carried the Turkish Ottoman flag to the top of the fortress, - the beginning of the end! Terry described the situation inside as being desperate.

The last Emperor Constantine threw himself into the battle, never to be seen again. As the Ottomans swarmed into the City, the Mehter Band played urging victory. Right at this moment, Terry paused and the audience leaned forward in anticipation; they had seen and heard so much in the last two days and they wanted to know more; they were on the edge of their seats. Their eyes fixed on the screen, they held their breath. This was live theatre at its best. The three Organisers had the audience eating out of their hands.

The audience was so keyed up and ready for the crescendo of this imminent historic event to hit them like a giant wave. They were hit all right - fairly and squarely. Melbourne's Mehter marched into the hall in their full regalia with 'Ceddin Deden' bursting our eardrums. The New Varangian Guard rattled their swords menacingly against their shields. What an entrance! Fit for a Sultan, who had just captured Istanbul, 'The City of the World's Desire'. The audience burst into a rapturous applause. The historic hall at the Australian Catholic University had never witnessed such a moment. Neither had the people in the hall."

Project 1453 has proven that the Australian Turkish and Australian Greek communities have the capacity and the maturity to view their history in common with an open mind and in good faith. Project 1453 is very proud of this achievement.

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E-mail: orgcom1453@bigpond.com