Cultural and Social Life of Turkish Pasha in Belgrade – Example of Ali Riza Pasha

Abstract

This paper focuses on the analysis of a very peculiar relationship of the last commander of the Belgrade fortress Ali Riza-Pasha towards the social and cultural life of the Serbian capital. Having in mind that the relations between the Serbs and Turks at the time were very specific, this pasha decided to break with the shackles of the past and became the first pasha up until that time to get himself fully immersed in the Serbian social life. He personally participated in numerous festivities, while his wife Meyra became known as the first wife of a pasha to organize parlour receptions for women from the upper echelons of the Serbian society at the time. Her oriental-themed salons left a deep mark on the society of the Serbian capital. Our goal in this paper is to present a folkloric and cultural dimension of the life of a Turkish pasha, but also the life at court by showing the activities of his wife.