Re-membering citizenship: The deportation of Greeks of Istanbul in 1964-65

The deportation of Greek citizens from Istanbul in 1964-65 stands as a significant historical period, viewed as the beginning of the significant decrease in the Rum of Istanbul —a yet often overlooked chapter in history. This study, the first comprehensive oral history research on the deportation of Greek citizens from Istanbul, is constructed based on a series of oral history interviews conducted between 2020 and 2023. It centers on individuals who were deported during the years 1964-65, those who were forced to leave Istanbul due to the deportation of their relatives, and witnesses of the era. The field research, which resulted in the creation of an audio-visual archive, comprises interviews with 80 individuals. The narratives transcend the scope of existing literature, offering diverse insights into pre-exile experiences of being Rum in Istanbul through daily life accounts. The study delves into the challenges faced by individuals in establishing a new order after exile, detailing areas of struggle and sources of support. At their core, these testimonies highlight precarity and resilience as two prominent concepts. Grounded in the personal narratives of the witnesses of the deportation period, this study aims to humanize historiography by making it more democratic