During “Genocide Studies Week,” Newmag will Present Turkish Historian Taner Akçam and His Book “The Hundred Years of Apartheid”

Taner Akçam holds a unique place in modern historiography. A former political prisoner who fled Turkey and received asylum in Germany, he has dedicated his academic career to uncovering the historical truths behind the Armenian Genocide. After earning his doctorate with a thesis on “Turkish Nationalism and the Armenian Genocide,” Akçam became the director of the Armenian Genocide Research Program at Clark University and is now recognized internationally as a leading authority in the field.

Newmag has previously published his influential works “A Shameful Act” and “Killing Orders” in Armenian. Now, with “The Hundred Years of Apartheid”, Akçam offers his most comprehensive study yet, revealing the dark ideological and structural roots of modern Turkish statehood.

The book explores the turbulent period between the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the Republic of Turkey (1918–1923). 

Based on previously unpublished archival documents and exclusive sources, Akçam demonstrates how the emerging Turkish state was shaped by ethnic cleansing, racist ideology, and systemic discrimination. He argues that the foundations of the republic were not built on equality or democracy, but on a legacy of violence and exclusion.

The work has already provoked debate in Turkey. Turkish journalist Atilla Aytemur noted:

“It is clear that the ideas presented in Akçam’s book challenge conventional views. For more than 100 years, Turkey has failed to resolve its most fundamental issues. Religious and ethnic discrimination remain open wounds, yet they are treated as a secret.”

Akçam also sheds light on how the structures of the Turkish state evolved into an apartheid-like system, targeting not only Armenians but also Kurds, Alevis, and other minorities. By confronting these painful truths, he advocates for a rethinking of Turkish history, one free from state-imposed narratives. He believes that only through honest reckoning with the past can Turkey hope to build a just and democratic society.

The presentation of  “The Hundred Years of Apartheid” will take place on April 22 at 7:00 PM at AGBU, as part of “Genocide Studies Week,” organized by Newmag and AGBU Armenia with the support of an AGBU grant. The four-day event, from April 21 to 24, will feature new book launches and a panel discussion with Armenian and international experts and writers. Taner Akçam will also participate in the discussion. His visit to Armenia is organized by the Ex Oriente Armenian Orientalists’ Union.