World history: The exhibition “Moscow-Istanbul: history of relations in archival documents of the XV – early XVIII centuries” in the capital of Russia

September 3, 2015 in the Exhibition hall of federal state archives (Moscow) is opened the historical and documentary exhibition “Moscow-Istanbul: history of relations in archival documents of the XV – early XVIII centuries”.

The objective of the exhibition is to show how diplomatic, cultural and economic ties between Russia and Turkey, which are more than a 500-year history, were emerged and developed. During the XIV-XV centuries between the Russian state and Turkey there was no permanent diplomatic relations. Only when necessary were sent envoys, messengers and couriers. Official diplomatic relations between Russia and Turkey started relatively late, only in the second half of the XV century. This is explained by the fact that between Russia and Turkey was not yet common borders, as well as the fact that the necessary information about Moscow, the Turkish government has been able to get from the Crimean Khan and of the khans of the Golden Horde. However, documents stored in the Russian State Archive of Ancient Documents, and the Ottoman archives (Istanbul), indicate that the Turkish and Russian states were interested in establishing trade relations. 

The exhibition presents the original diplomatic documents of the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts, deposited among the documents of the Ambassadors order, was in charge of Diplomatic Relations between Russia and other states. Among them: "Article lists" - the official reports on the presence of the ambassadors of Turkey on a diplomatic mission, which begin with the date of departure from the embassy in Moscow and return after end home. A significant place in the history of Russian-Turkish relations takes from the end of XVII century and the first decade of the XVIII century. At this time, there are important changes not only in relations between Russia and the Ottoman Empire, but also in the foreign policy of both countries. Beginning in 1702, in the capital of Turkey, it is the first permanent Russian ambassador at the sultan's court Pyotr Andreyevich Tolstoy, whose work is also reflected in the exposition.