Back	Symposia in conjunction with the exhibition of Ottoman Orders and Decorations: THE IDEOLOGICAL DIMENSION OF HAMIDIAN DECORATIONS This new symposia series, organized by the Ottoman Bank Museum, brings together scholars from various arenas to examine its recent exhibition, Pride and Privilege: An Exhibition of Ottoman Orders and Decorations, from different viewpoints. On Tuesday, November 9, at 6:00 p.m., Prof. Edhem Eldem, curator of the exhibition, and Prof. Selim Deringil, chair of the History Department at Boğaziçi University, will be joining us to discuss the ideological dimension of orders and decorations during the reign of Abdülhamid II. Conflicting views regarding the Hamidian regime in general are also apparent where his "system" of decorations is concerned. While many claim that the abuse of orders and decorations during Abdülhamid's reign led to their debasement, others consider the Hamidian period a time when decorations were deliberately put to legitimate political use. At any rate, there is no doubt that under the rule of Abdülhamid II, Ottoman orders and decorations reached their peak and became fully integrated into Ottoman culture.The symposium will address the ideological context of Hamidian decorations through topics such as state symbolism, patriotism and nationalism, and the politics of awards and promotions. Prof. Selim Deringil holds a B.A. in European History and Languages and a Ph.D. in History both from the University of East Anglia. His research interests focus on political and cultural history and he has written several books and articles on Ottoman history and the period of Abdülhamid II. For further information on this free conference offered by the Museum call: (212) 334 22 70.The series of symposia held in conjunction with the special exhibition of Ottoman Orders and Decorations will next be focusing on the exhibition from the perspectives of art history and the emergence of charitable associations. A decoration that would add to the prestige of both the Empire and the Sultan... FIRST-CLASS BREAST STAR OF THE ORDER OF CHARITY The Order of Charity (Nişan-ı-Şevkat), created by Abdülhamid II, in September 1878, as an order of merit uniquely for women, was to become one of the most remarkable of Ottoman orders. As usual, the Sultan's aim in creating a new decoration was essentially diplomatic, namely, to enhance the prestige of both the Empire and its ruler. Less than three weeks after its creation, the order was conferred, for the first time, on Lady Layard, the wife of the British ambassador, for her work on behalf of wounded soldiers and refugees. Initially created to be bestowed for services in times of war and other catastrophes, the decoration soon acquired immense popularity and losing all reference to true merit became just another award almost automatically granted to Ottoman sultanas, the wives and daughters of prominent state officials or foreign diplomats, and numerous foreign queens, empresses and princesses, as a sign of Sultan Abdülhamid's attentions and favors.