Rami Library, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, commemorated Mehmet Serhan Tayşi — who made significant contributions to the world of Ottoman thought, manuscript studies, and librarianship — on the 10th anniversary of his passing with a meaningful panel event. Titled “A Life in the Footsteps of Ali Emîrî,” the panel was held on Friday, May 30th at 3:00 PM in Hall 172 of Rami Library, with strong attendance.

The event addressed various aspects of Tayşi’s scholarly knowledge, his work on cultural heritage, and his profound devotion to the Ottoman legacy. The panel particularly highlighted Tayşi’s efforts to preserve the Ottoman manuscript tradition by following in the footsteps of Ali Emîrî Efendi.

 

 

Opening Speeches
In the panel's opening, Rami Library Director Ali Çelik described Tayşi as a model figure who remained devoted to knowledge, books, and tradition throughout his life. Istanbul Provincial Director of Culture and Tourism Hüseyin Keskin emphasized Tayşi’s contributions to Istanbul’s cultural identity and his sensitivity toward manuscripts.

 

Panel Presentations
Moderated by İbrahim Hakkı Yiğit, the panel featured esteemed academics who discussed the multifaceted personality of Tayşi.

 

 🎙️ The speakers included:

• Prof. Dr. Ahmet Turan Arslan (Founding Dean, Faculty of Islamic Sciences, FSMVÜ)
• Prof. Dr. Abdullah Taha İmamoğlu (Trakya University)
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Cumhur Ersin Adıgüzel (Istanbul University)
• Dursun Gürlek (Researcher-Author)

 

The presentations delved into Mehmet Serhan Tayşi’s academic meticulousness, his contributions to the preservation and promotion of manuscripts, his relationship with Ottoman-Turkish intellectual history, his understanding of librarianship, and his intellectual depth. Tayşi’s lifelong journey “in pursuit of the book” was assessed as a source of inspiration, particularly for younger generations.

 

Contributions of Attendees
The event was also attended by Tayşi’s wife Elif Tayşi and many individuals with whom he had worked and built friendships over the years. At the end of the program, heartfelt memories reflecting both his scholarly and human qualities were shared. Participants emphasized the great importance of such events in preserving Tayşi’s scholarly legacy and passing it on to future generations.