The museum of innocence

The museum exists, but the cooperation with the capital of culture Istanbul has been cancelled. Orhan Pamuk has returned the subsidies which amounted to about 360.000 Euros. The winner of the Nobel prize for literature didn’t want to be connected with the irregularities of the organisation. A private foundation takes care of the museum’s financing now.

With this spectacular decision, Orhan Pamuk stays true to his convictions. Several years ago, his commitment has led to a lawsuit against him. He was charged of „insulting Turkishness“ (the charge was dropped later) – Pamuk, as a mediator between traditional and European values, has often faced criticism. 

Experience the book

An epitome of his thinking is the establishment of his 'museum of innocence’ – which is at the same time a background study regarding Turkish society in the 70s. The exhibition, corresponding to his novel of the same name, extends over three floors – all 83 chapters of the book are presented.
The main characters are Kemal, son of a textile manufacturer, and Füsun, an impecunious women he loves. It is a tragic love which fails due to the conventions of those times. In the novel, Kemal collects all things which have ever been touched by Füsun – these are “replicated” in the museum. So, the exhibition is (in a double sense) a mirror of history and a demonstration of transience.

Small things

You’ll find various trinkets here: newspapers, a single earring, about 4217 cigarette butts (Füsun was a smoker), oil cans, a bottle cap. But also numerous photos, invitations, toys, gas receipts, keys and spoons, jewellery, corroded cans, bags, and old bottles of spirit. In addition to that, there are also screenings of films from that time.

The conglomeration of mundane culture can be "decrypted" by reading Pamuk’s novel before visiting the museum – even if it is a museum of emotions. A small house in Istanbul, dreamy and quaint – it still has an air of innocence.

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