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Ronald G. Suny, the Charles Tilly Collegiate Professor of Social and Political History at the University of Michigan, will give a talk, “Explaining the Persistence of the Past: Genocide and the Politics of Modern Turkey,” on Wednesday, April 24, at 3 p.m. in 220 Eggers. He will focus his remarks on the consequences and enduring legacy and effects of the events of 1915 on politics in modern Turkey. Coincidentally, April 24 is Armenian Genocide Memorial Day.

The fate of Ottoman Armenians is intricately connected both to the identity of the Turkish nation in its denial of what occurred during the last years of the Ottoman Empire and to the current conflicts between Turks and Kurds. Suny will explore both the Kemalist heritage and the policies of the Islamist government of present-day Turkey.

Suny, the author of many books, is among the leading experts on the non-Russian nationalities of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, particularly those of the South Caucasus (Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia).

The event is free and open to the public. Copies of his recent book, “A Question of Genocide: Armenians and Turks at the End of the Ottoman Empire,” will be available for purchase and signing after the talk. Paid parking is available in the Irving Garage.