Entertainment culture in İzmir during World War I and its impact on social life

Moslems and non-Moslems people formed the complex population structure of Izmir being of as a semi-autonomous position in the Ottoman Empire. Non-Moslems divided into two as the minorities and aliens. While Greek, Armenian and Jews were included in the minority group, Europeans were included in the aliens.These people captured the economic dominance in the last periods of the Ottoman and this made them have an important place in social life of Izmir. So entertainment life of Izmir took its place in the daily life of the Ottoman with the liveliness and variegation.The effect of Westerns did not show itself in the political and military life but also in social life during the period starting with the announcement of the Rescript of Gulhane. For this reason, new entertainments concepts were born in Izmir. Izmir not being the capital of the Ottoman became almost the center of entertainment.The entertainment perception of World War I. was the continuity of new entertainment perception created during Tanzimat reform era. Some parts of the activities in the entertainment life had its share from the war, increase was experienced for some of them.Entertainment life continued in spite of all negative sides of the war. Izmir took her place in the history as the Ottoman city not losing anything from daily life. There was no mark of depression of the war on the streets of Izmir mostly.