24 February 2011 – 31 August 2011
Exhibition Hall C
Although use of the water pump to fight fires began in the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe, mainly Hungary and France, it was first used in the Ottoman Empire at the beginning of the 18th century by Gerçek Davud (originally “David”), an engineer of French origin living in Istanbul.
The fire brigades embodied a unique culture and lifestyle. The firemen had a language of their own, with particular slang and swear words. The warning cries opening with “Haaaaayt”, the races between companies as they hurried to and returned from fires, with the men declaiming poems along the way, constituted great street theater as well as municipal service.
This exhibition catalogue opens a window on the historical culture of the neighborhood fire brigades, which came to an end in 1924. The social characteristics, the nature of everyday life, and the governmental attitudes during this 200-year period are highlighted in this collection of materials from the Cibali Tobacco and Cigarette Factory Fire Brigade and the Fire Brigade Museum.
79 Pages, Turkish/English, February 2011
ISBN: 978-975-8919-62-8