Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries in Greek musical terminology the lay music of the Ottoman court or the secular art music which prevailed in the urban space of the Ottoman Empire was designated as the “external” music (exoteriki mousiki). As religion was one of the most crucial categories of belonging, the secular music was defined as opposed to the ecclesiastical music, which was conceptualized as “internal” music.

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The presentation of “marginal” groups in Istanbul (Constantinople) includes the analysis of delinquent behaviour of several social strata during that time, as well as the analysis of the main beliefs on morals and delinquency.

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Greek theatre in Constantinople was developed especially during the second half of the 19th century, although performances are recorded as early as the beginning of the century. Particularly industrious were the itinerant professional theatre companies, as well as amateur ones (in schools or associations). The repertoire was comprised of many foreign and Greek plays from all periods, while the composition of original plays, mainly comedies, by Greek Constantinopolitan scholars was also notable....

The twentieth century was not exactly paradisiacal for minorities in the world – and much less so in the Ottoman lands. The definition of “minority” –or, for that matter, of “majority”– was still rather hazy since the conjunction of “ethnicity” and “religion” in the formation of the “national identity” was still ambiguous. But, quite clearly, feelings toward members of the minority, however defined, were not friendly.

The division of leisure time in Constantinople (Istanbul) presented distinct differences depending on gender and social stratification. However, in many cases, certain forms of entertainment became a “meeting point” for different social and ethnic-religious groups, as well as a point of communication and source of interaction between “high” and “popular” culture. Within this framework, the coffee-house, the tavern and every kind of spectacle was an integral part.

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The first initiatives of Constantinopolitan Greeks for the realisation of sport activities date from the second half of the 19th century. Gradually many clubs developed encompassing distinguished athletes. Indicatively, there can be mentioned the successful appearance of athletes of clubs of Constantinople in the Panionian games of Smyrna, in the Panegyptian games of Alexandria and the Panhellenic games of Athens.

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