Bir Ada, Bir Dergi ve Bir Ressam: İmroz, Ιμβροσ ve Nikos Paleopoulos

Abstract

Imbros, which is the largest island of Turkey, was a self-sufficient island despite the many negative effects of being an island. Its greatest advantage was having access to fresh water, making it suitable for agriculture and livestock. During the years when transportation to the mainland was difficult, much like other islands, the island's population had to rely on itself. Therefore, they produced their own food, drinks, clothing, and other necessities. Being isolated from the mainland, the island had to create not only its material resources but also all of its cultural activities. The people of the island were first introduced to cinema in 1948. Electricity started to be provided to the center of the island in 1950. Battery powered radios were the most important means of communication and entertainment in daily life. While music, dances, religious rituals, weddings, and many celebrations made the island enjoyable, a group of intellectuals wanted to bring a new movement to Imbros. However, they were unsure of how to begin. The economic and spiritual collapse brought to the island by World War II also became an opportunity for a new beginning. Imbros and Istanbul Greeks, who had gotten closer to each other during their mandatory military service, had the chance to get to know each other better. Two intellectuals from Istanbul, Vasileios Anagnostopoulos and Nikos Paleopoulos, made their first trips to Imbros after the war ended. This journey would connect them to Imbros. Nikos Paleopoulos, a painter who was greatly influenced by the daily life, nature, and people of the island, was the one who proposed the idea of starting a journal. With the gathering of intellectuals on the island, the first magazine of Imroz was born. Published until 1955, this magazine was almost like a record book of the island. This work aims to explore the everyday life of the island during its relatively "beautiful" years and introduce Imbros magazine to the readers.