1st International Symposium on Masonic Research
28 Oct 2023 - Point Hotel Barbaros
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Freemasonry in Turkey in the 100th Year of the Republic
The Grand Lodge of Free Masons (ÖMBL) has decided to organise the first step of the periodic International Symposium on Freemasonry Studies (UMAS) in 2023 on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Turkey and the theme of the first symposium has been determined as “The Values of Freemasonry and the 100th Year of the Republic”. The aim of this theme is to reveal the importance of the values and principles of Freemasonry in the construction of the Republic and to examine their effects in this process in depth. This symposium aims to equip the participants with new perspectives and knowledge on the founding of the Republic of Turkey by emphasising the importance of Masonic values that contributed to Turkey’s modern history and the shaping of its democratic structure. How did the enlightenment, universal and contemporary philosophy of Freemasonry influence the transformation of the Republic of Turkey during its foundation? What role did the philosophy and ideals of Freemasonry play in laying the foundations of the republic? What are the relations between secularism and Freemasonry? We hope to shed light on these and similar questions through the academic studies and discussions of international participants.Collaboration Among Masonic Research Lodges
The second goal of the symposium is to improve mutual cooperation and relations of Masonic researchers or Research Lodges both in Turkey and worldwide. With participants coming from various obediences and brothers from different countries, it is aimed to create a comprehensive academic dialogue and information exchange environment. This will allow different points of view, different cultural and historical perspectives to come together to share and discuss new scientific findings. Thus, contributing to the increase and dissemination of academic knowledge on the core values of the republic and the philosophy of Freemasonry will enable us to better understand the history of Turkey and the world and to look to the future with a brighter outlook.JANUS Lodge of Research
Janus Research Lodge was established on 21 February 2020 and started to work under the umbrella of OMBL with the Ceremony of affiliation and induction to OMBL on 4 December 2021. This special lodge aims to conduct scientific researches and examinations on the aims, principles, history, traditions, rituals, working methods and statutes of Freemasonry in general and Turkish Freemasonry in particular, and to publish the documentary and reference findings obtained in the form of articles and books and share them with Freemasons and those interested. The Janus Annals published by the Janus Research Lodge, due to its publication policy based entirely on documents, has taken its place among the most reliable sources that those who are interested in the subject of Freemasonry or who are doing research can use to clarify many issues that have not been addressed to date. You can obtain the published issues of the Janus Annals through the Hiram Usta website.
The participation fee for the symposium event is 600 TL per person. Please fill out the pre-registration form to participate.
Event Program
1st International Freemasonry Symposium Program
09:00 - 09:30
Registration and Opening
09:30 - 09:35
Opening address by Worshipful Master of the Janus Research Lodge, Önder Tuzcu
09:35 - 09:45
A minute of silence for the founders of the Republic and Turkey’s National Anthem
09:45 - 10:00
Address by Sinan Tansuğ, Grand Master of the Grand Liberal Lodge of Turkey
10:00 - 10:45
Lorans Tanatar Baruh
SALT Associate Director of Research and Programmes
Session 1 : “Fundamental Values of the Republic, Women’s Rights and Freemasonry”
Tracing the ideas at the founding of the Republic of Turkey and the women's movement from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic, she is discussing the ideas of the Masonic brothers about women becoming freemasons and the establishment of women's freemasonry in Turkey.
10:45 - 11:00
Coffee Break
11:00 - 11:45
Andreas Önnerfors
Past Master of the Quatuor Coronati Masonic Research Lodge
Session 2 : “Constitutionalism – reflections on masonic self-jurisdiction”
300 years ago, modern Freemasonry laid the foundations for the principle of self-jurisdiction by publishing the Constitutions. Based on this printed volume, ethical rules, and organizational regulations for lodges and their supraordinate entities were codified. They could be transferred to new contexts and settings and adapted to local circumstances. Thus, the Constitutions are an expression of the power of self-organization of what would become independent civil society – a claim for a space in between the powers of state, economic profit, and primordial ties, where members could practice and experience civic virtues. This talk will in the first part introduce to the structure and content of the Constitutions and in the second part develop their legacy of constitutionalism as the basis of masonic self-jurisdiction.
11:45 - 12:30
Pierre Mollier
Grand Orient de France Library, Archive and Museum Director
Session 3 : “How did the Freemasons become Republicans?”
In the 19th and 20th centuries in France - but also more widely in a number of other countries - Freemasonry was an important factor for the spread of liberal and then democratic ideas, and a major player in the establishment and consolidation of republican regimes. Are these values and this political project linked to the very essence of Freemasonry, or are they the result of particular historical circumstances? When, and in what ways, did the Lodges gradually become involved in political and social debates, to the point where we could, for example, speak of a "Masonic Republic"? These are the questions this paper will attempt to answer. It will start from the French case, but will broaden its perspective to other regions.
12:30 - 14:00
Lunch Break
14:00 - 14:45
Gürkan Eliçin
Janus Lodge of Research Senior Warden
Session 4 : “The Gustave Flourens Affair and its Impact on Freedom of Conscience in Freemasonry”
The debate over "freedom of conscience" is at the heart of Freemasonry's division into two main currents. Gustave Flourens, who was the first Freemason to take an oath not on religious books but on his own conscience at his initiation, set in motion the events that would lead to the division of Freemasonry into two main currents. Interestingly, this initiation took place in a Lodge of the Grand Orient de France, working at the Orient of Istanbul. The Gustave Flourens affair led to a conflict between the concept of freedom of conscience in Freemasonry and the obligation to believe in God.
14:45 - 15:00
Coffee Break
15:00 - 16:00
“Q&A and Contributions”
16:00 - 16:30
Closing address and thanks by Sinan Tansuğ, Grand Master of the Grand Liberal Lodge of Turkey and closing of the Symposium by Önder Tuzcu, Worshipful Master of the Janus Research Lodge
Speakers
Speakers of the 1st International Symposium on Freemasonry Studies
Pre-Register for the 1st International Symposium on Masonic Studies
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Event Fee
1st International Freemasonry Research Symposium Participation Fee is 600 TRL per person.
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Event Venue
Point Hotel Barbaros
Esentepe Yıldız Posta Cad. No:29 Şişli / Istanbul – TURKEY
Phone : +90 212 337 30 00
E-Mail : info@pointhotel.comTransportation
- Istanbul (IST) – 41 min. drive
- Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (SAW) – 48 min. drive
- Bogazici University Station – 5 min. driving distance
- Seyrantepe Station – 7 min. drive
- Mecidiyekoy Station – 20 min. walk
- Gayrettepe Station – 15 min. walk
- Levent Station – 20 min. walk
- Sisli Station – 24 min. walk