The International Sevgi Gönül Byzantine Studies Symposium is organised in memory of late Sevgi Gönül (1938-2003), who had always supported the Byzantine studies with the aim of reviving in our society’s memory the Byzantine heritage in Turkey, in other words, this extraordinarily rich cultural accumulation based in Istanbul – still the heart of our present day geography – that influenced the Eastern and Western civilisations for over a thousand years in order that it may attain the position it deserves.

Planned to be held every three years by Vehbi Koç Foundation, the symposium aims at sharing the ongoing scientific research in Turkey and abroad on an international platform, at improving the consciousness of cultural heritage through publications, at supporting research in this field as well as supporting the young Byzantinists.

The thematic strand of the First International Sevgi Gönül Byzantine Studies Symposium to be held at Istanbul Archaeological Museums on 25-28 June 2007 is decided as "Change in the Byzantine World in the 12th-13th Centuries."