MECA - Collections

From its very beginnings, the International Institute of Social History has tried to assemble collections of documents and books related to social freedom movements, which, from the close of eighteenth century, have changed the shape of Europe and other places as well. The Institute has made these resources and sources for social, economic and human studies available to researchers.

Many of these collections were saved at times when their owners were under political attack and their documents were threatened with destruction. In fact the Institute began its practical work in 1935, when its main purpose was to save and provide security for the collections facing annihilation.

The International Institute of Social History launched its activities in the Middle East and Central Asia in 1987. In the early days, the Institute's activities were limited to Turkey. However, by the early 1990s its geographical space was extended to Iran, the Caucasus, Afghanistan and Central Asia. To find out more about the collections of the MECA, see the History and Activities of the MECA. General information on the collections of the IISH can be found on the collections page.

Collections from the Middle East and Central Asia on this site:

1. Turkey

2. Photo Collection The Hot Summer of Tehran 1999

3. Photo Collection: Afghan Migrant Labourers in Iran

4. Archival Collection Sadiqeh Dowlatabadi

5. Newspaper Collection Azerbaijan Joz'-e La- Yanfak-e Iran
Nasher-e: Ferqeh-e Demokrat-e Iran

6. Newspaper Collection KAR: Organ-e markezi Sazman-e Charikha-ye Feda'i-ye Khalq-e Iran

7. Iran-e Bastan Weekly (Ancient Iran)

8. Iraq-Iran War (1980-1988)

9. Newspaper Bukhara-ye-sharif