The St. Andrews Qur’an
© St Andrews University Library Special Collections, ms19(o)
The books of the Mevlevi Dervishes: From handwritten manuscripts to printed books in Konya, Istanbul and Cairo
The Mevlevi Path is a Sufi order that was widespread in many parts of the Ottoman Empire. Especially among elite groups, it provided significant opportunities to forge connections. By no means the least reason why books were so important to adepts of the order was that its founding father – Mevlānā Celāleddīn Rūmī (who died in 1273) – was also one of the most pre-eminent Persian poets and writers.
This lecture investigates the Mevlevi’s book culture, focusing specifically on three topics: 1. the production, purchase and use of books; 2. the donation of books and whole libraries; and 3. the transition from handwritten production to book printing in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The lecture will be delivered by Professor Tobias Heinzelmann (University of Zurich) as part of the series Foundations of Islam: Books, organized by the Munich Middle Eastern-Mediterranean-Central Asian Center (4MZ).
The event will be held in German. You can find more information on the 4MZ website.